Macular degeneration is an eye disease that often leads to the loss of straight-ahead vision. This disease occurs when you have damage to the rods and cones that make up your macula, a central area of tissue on the back of your eye. These rods and cones work with other parts of your eye to provide you with your vision. Treatments do not typically reverse vision damage, and many people turn to supplements, such as lycopene, for prevention.
Lycopene
Lycopene is a natural pigment, a nutrient classified as a carotenoid, which your body can convert into vitamin A. One possible benefit of lycopene is the antioxidant nature of this pigment, and this and other components of lycopene may lead to many health benefits, such as preventing heart disease and certain types of cancer. Lycopene may also have a role in helping to reduce your risk of macular degeneration, but this nutrient cannot reverse damage or improve vision loss that results from the condition.
Sources
Food sources of lycopene include tomatoes and tomato products, watermelon, and pink grapefruit. Your body cannot convert lycopene supplements into vitamin A. If you need to increase your lycopene intake, your doctor may recommend that you use dietary sources to ensure that your body processes the lycopene properly. Your doctor will also tell you how much lycopene you need to ensure that you have an adequate intake to help you meet your dietary needs for prevention of macular degeneration and other health conditions.
Other Nutrients
In addition to lycopene or other sources of vitamin A, your doctor may recommend nutrients such as zinc, vitamin E and vitamin C. Continuing through 2012, the National Eye Institute will study the potential benefits of lutein, zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids to determine if these nutrients offer any protection against macular degeneration development. Your doctor may recommend a supplement that contains all or most of these nutrients, including vitamin A, to offer the best protection against vision loss.
Consideration
You should not take lycopene supplements or increase your dietary intake of lycopene without first consulting your doctor. High doses of some nutrients may result in health complications, and your doctor can help you determine if you meet any of the risk factors that would limit your intake requirements.
