The macula is an area on the back of your eye that contains sensitive cells that help create the straight-ahead vision you use each day. Often with age, the cells of the macula break down, damaging vision. For most people, doctors cannot reverse macular degeneration damage. However, certain vitamins and minerals may help prevent this condition, called macular degeneration. Many people also turn to herbal supplements, such as goji berry, to help prevent this vision-threatening condition.
Effects
In the early stages of dry macular degeneration, you may notice blurry vision, changes in color or one spot of blurred vision in the center of your vision. These symptoms may continue to worsen over time. Wet macular degeneration occurs when the damage to the macula prompts the growth of abnormal vessels under the macular tissue. Due to their fragile nature, these vessels often break, leaking blood and displacing the macula. Vision changes typically occur suddenly, and you may notice objects that you know have straight lines, such as telephone poles, appear bent or wavy.
Goji Berry
Goji berry is a supplement also known as wolfberry or lycium, and though goji berry cannot treat the symptoms of macular degeneration, some people believe these berries may help prevent the condition. Drugs.com reports that participants who took 15 g of goji berries per day for 28 days as part of a food-based supplementation trial experienced increased zeaxanthin levels, according to a study published in 2005 in the "British Journal of Nutrition." Zeaxanthin is a pigment found in the macula that may help prevent damage to macular tissues. Your doctor will help you determine the amount of goji berries you should consume each day to maintain the zeaxanthin levels you require for macular degeneration prevention.
Additional Prevention
In addition to the zeaxanthin found in goji berries, other beneficial nutrients that may help prevent macular degeneration include beta carotene, zinc, vitamin A and vitamin E. The National Eye Institute studied these vitamins and minerals and determine that, in high doses, these nutrients may play an important part in preventing vision loss from macular degeneration. Lutein, another pigment, is commonly found with zeaxanthin, and this nutrient may also benefit macular health.
Considerations
If you wish to use goji berries as a way to prevent macular degeneration, you should first discuss the fruit with your doctor. She will help you determine if goji berries will provide the best protection, or if you should use other supplements or foods for prevention.
