Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is a common cause of vision loss in older people, MayoClinic.com reports. Although scientists are still looking into the exact causes of AMD, they do understand that lifestyle plays a role. Certain dietary factors, especially intake of AMD fighting nutrients, may significantly reduce the risk of developing AMD or may slow its progression. While a healthy diet rich in fruits, veggies and lean meats can fight AMD, certain foods are particularly beneficial in reducing AMD risk.
Eggs
Two pigments found in extremely high concentrations in the macula, lutein and zeaxanthin, are found in egg yolks. Luetin and zeaxanthin are a team of caroetenoids in the macula that help protect the eye from damage caused by sunlight exposure, the "Epoch Times" reports.
The Epoch times goes on to state that people who eat the most of this tag team of nutrients have a 43 percent decreased risk of AMD when compared to those who eat the least.
Also, free range and omega-3 fortified eggs contain omega-3 fatty acids which may also improve eye health and reduce AMD risk, MayoClinic.com adds.
Yellow Corn
George Torrey of the American Macular Degeneration Foundation claims that brightly colored fruits and vegetables such as yellow corn help reduce AMD risk. Like egg yolks, fruits and veggies that are red, yellow, and orange in color tend to be rich in zeaxanthin and lutein.
Torrey goes on to state that overall lutein intake decreased between 1987 and 1992 years in middle age women, which may partly explain the increased prevalence of AMD cases.
It doesn't appear that egg-avoiding women caused this lutein deficiency. Torrey reports that inadequate consumption of vegetables such as yellow corn has largely contributed to this phenomenon. Fresh or frozen yellow corn can be used over salads, as part of soups, or as a eye-friendly side dish at dinner.
Mackerel
Mackerel and other fatty fish are high in omega-3 fats. Omega-3 intake has been associated with a significantly lower risk of AMD, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. The class of omega-3 fats in fatty fish, known as eicosapentaenoic, or EPA, and docosahexaenoic, or DHA, appear to be particularly beneficial to the eyes, the UMMC adds.
Mackerel's omega-3s have a two-pronged approach toward fighting AMD. First, they reduce harmful inflammation, which promotes destruction of vulnerable macular cells. Also, omega-3s help keep the arteries which feed the eye with nutrients free of plaque. Like the heart, clogged arteries in the eye can lead to damage.
