Nearly 2 million adults in the United States have macular degeneration, the National Eye Institute reports. That number is expected to balloon by 50 percent by 2020. Eating a diet rich in two unique antioxidants -- lutein and zeaxanthin -- can reduce MD risk and delay its progression. However, if you've been diagnosed with MD, there are a few foods you may want to avoid. If you have MD, be sure to talk to your doctor before avoiding or adding foods to your diet.
High GI Foods
The glycemic index (GI) of a food indicates how profoundly the carbohydrates in that food influence blood sugar. High GI foods greatly impact blood sugars while low GI foods don't. Foods with a glycemic index greater than 70 are considered "high GI," the Glycemic Index Foundation reports. Chung-Jung Chiu of Tufts University reports that people with MD who eat a high GI diet are worsening their condition. In research published in the October 2007 issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," Chiu looked into the effect of GI on early MD progression over a five-year span. Those who ate the highest GI diet had a 17 percent greater MD progression than those who chose a diet rich in low GI foods. Chiu reported that nearly 8 percent of all advanced MD cases could be prevented if people with mild MD ate a low GI diet. High GI foods include sugary foods, soft drinks, refined grains and baked goods.
Processed Food
Trans fat is a man-made class of fat found in processed foods like baked goods, packaged snacks and deep-fried foods. Intake of trans fat can increase "bad" LDL cholesterol and lower "good" HDL cholesterol. High LDL and low HDL cholesterol can increase the risk of atherosclerosis -- hardening and blocking of the arteries. Blocked arteries contribute to MD progression as it reduces blood flow to the eye. Avoiding trans-fat foods may reduce MD risk.
High Fat Meats
High fat meats like hot dogs, steak and pork are rich in saturated fat. Saturated fat increases atherosclerosis risk. Additionally, eating high fat meats on a regular basis can accelerate the progression of MD. Eating just a single serving of high fat meat per day can double the risk of MD progression. Replace high fat meats with healthy protein sources like fish, chicken and beans.
References
- National Eye Institute: Prevalence of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the United States
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition": Dietary carbohydrate and the progression of age-related macular degeneration: a prospective study from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study
- Glycemic Index Foundation: What is the Glycemic Index?
- The Eye Digest: Macular Degeneration
- AMDF: Improved Nutrition May Reduce Risk of Age-related Macular Degeneration
