The back, inside of your eye has a tissue lining that contains light sensitive cells. One area of this tissue is called the macula. Macular degeneration occurs when the cells in the macular tissue break down, resulting in vision loss. For many sufferers of this condition, treatment will not improve vision. However, specific nutrients contained in many foods such as apricots may help protect your eyes from advanced damage from macular degeneration.
Beneficial Nutrients
A study conducted by the National Eye Institute in 2001 determined that certain nutrients in high doses may help prevent or slow down macular degeneration. The research determined the necessary nutrients include zinc, along with vitamin A, C and E. The study also recommends copper in order to reduce the risk of copper deficiency that could result from high zinc intake. In addition, the antioxidant pigments lutein and zeaxanthin may also help protect your macular tissue.
Apricots
Apricots contain each of the nutrients that help prevent macular degeneration, but the fruit contains much less of each nutrient than the required dosage. The National Eye Institute study concluded that you need 25,000 International Units, or IU, of vitamin A each day, and an apricot of average size contains around 2000 IU. The vitamin C recommendation is 500 mg, and apricots provide 10 mg. Apricots also have a trace amount of Vitamin E, zinc and copper, but the study recommends a daily intake of 400 IU of vitamin E, along with 80 mg of zinc and 2 mg of copper.
As well, the American Optometric Association reports that 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin will aid in slowing disease progression. Apricots only contain a small amount of these nutrients.
Additional Sources
In addition to apricots, a number of other foods contain the nutrients for macular degeneration prevention, but you may have a difficult time reaching the recommended dosages of these nutrients through your diet. Many over-the-counter vitamin supplements contain the necessary formulation of these studied nutrients. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you locate a supplement with a formulation appropriate for you.
Considerations
Apricots provide a wide variety of nutrients that will aid in macular degeneration prevention, as well as promote general health. However, apricots alone will not offer enough of these nutrients to protect your eyes. Talk with your doctor about the ways you can incorporate apricots and other healthy foods into your diet, and also discuss whether you should take a supplement with a high dose of these nutrients.
