Thirteen million people in the United States have macular degeneration (MD), Science Daily reports. MD is the leading cause of blindness in older people. While age is a primary risk factor for MD, lifestyle factors like smoking may also play a role, the National Eye Institute reports. Smoking increases the number of free radicals in your eye. Free radicals are molecules that damage the macula area of the eye, leading to MD.
Lutein
Most women in the United States don't get enough lutein in the diet from lutein-rich foods like green leafy veggies, reports Linda Nebeling of the National Cancer Institute. Lutein is a special type of antioxidant known as a carotenoid. Supplementing with carotenoids like lutein can reduce the risk of developing MD and may even have the ability to partially reverse the disease, the American Macular Disease Foundation reports. Johanna M. Seddon of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary reports in a study published in the November 1994 issue of the "Journal of the American Medical Association" that taking 6 mg of lutein per day may cut MD risk by more than half. The research subjects in this group included current and former smokers.
Fish Oil
Fish oil contains two types of omega-3 fats, docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic, that reduce MD risk, the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) reports. Fish oil combats MD by reducing the risk of atherosclerosis -- the narrowing and hardening of arteries that's often exacerbated by smoking. While many associate atherosclerosis with the arteries that feed the heart, the arteries that feed the eye can also become blocked, contributing to MD. Fish oil supplements boost the flexibility of the arteries that feed the eyes and can reverse plaque buildup. Before taking fish oil supplements, be sure to talk to your doctor as they can interfere with certain medications.
Vitamin C
If you smoke, vitamin C is routed to the lungs to fight free radicals there, the BBC reports, which depletes vitamin C and leaves the eyes unprotected. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects the eye from the oxidation that ultimately results in MD; however, supplementing with vitamin C may shield your lungs and eyes from damage, the American Academy for Ophthalmology (AAO) reports. The AAO recommends taking 400 mg of vitamin C per day to delay MD progression. It's not known whether vitamin C supplementation can prevent MD risk, the AAO adds.
References
- National Eye Institute: Facts About Age-Related Macular Degeneration
- "JAMA":Dietary Carotenoids, Vitamins A, C, and E, and Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration
- AAO: Antioxidant Supplements and Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
- Science Daily: Zinc Linked To Macular Degeneration, Study Suggests
- UMMC: Macular Degeneration
- BBC: Vitamin C 'Cuts Smoking Risk'
