Macular Degeneration and Vitamins

By Dane Swanson

 

You have a family history of Macular Degeneration. Your grandfather had it. Your father had it. Chances are that you have the makings of Macular Degeneration. In fact your optometrist has said that he has noticed some drusen. Drusen is aging spots.

 

There is no cure at the moment for this disease. With Macular Degeneration your macula gets clogged with materials that clog and start to block that portion of your eye that is meant to give you clear and sharp central vision and color definition.

 

It can't be fixed with lenses and as it progresses can take sixty to seventy percent of your vision. It is not total blindness but close to it. It is not known what causes it.

 

It comes in two types: dry and wet. Whatever one you may have it is a case of the retina clogging with material that cuts down on your central vision making it hard to read fine print. In the last stages it is like a solid fist in the center of your vision yet you can still see on the sides of your vision pattern

 

Let me suggest a way to combat this.

 

You can improve or slow or even stop this Macular Degeneration. There is growing evidence that the use of vitamins, mineral and herbs can help fight Macular Degeneration. It is not a cure-all or a panacea but if you do nothing it is one hundred percent certain that Macular Degeneration will overtake you.

 

First of all you must know that a macula is thin and fragile and it is located at the center of your retina. The problem comes when the macula starts to die because undigested materials gather and clog the cones in your eye. No signal can be sent through a part of the eye where the macula is not functioning. You start to see wavy lines. This is dry degeneration. I will not get into wet degeneration. You get the idea.

 

So what can be done? I earlier stated something about vitamins and herbs and minerals. This is just one of the possible ways you can slow down the process.

 

The first line of defense would be vitamin C. Vitamin C will help prevent the breaking of blood vessels in the retina. It can also prevent the growth of new blood vessels on the macula. You can get your C through fruits such as berries, lemons, grapes, plums, grapefruit, apricots and cherries which are high in a substance called bioflavonoid. A daily dose of 2,000 to 10,000 mg should do.

 

And you will need vitamin A and D. You can get these by eating fish. You should eat trout, tuna, salmon, mackerel, cod and even sardines. Any excess A you get from your diet will be stored in your liver and will be drawn upon when your eyes need the A.

 

Fish will also give you your Omega-3 fatty acids which seem to decrease blood clotting which will help in the flow of blood to the eye.

 

Vitamin A is good if you can get it in some form of beta-carotene.

 

You will also need some magnesium as this help in the blood flow to the eye. Magnesium also will reduce muscle spasms and maintain a proper fluid balance in the cells.

 

Another vitamin that helps in the health of the eye, and that is what this article is about, is vitamin E.

It helps against leaking of the blood vessels. A form of vitamin E called alpha tocopherol is layered across the retina. Where it thins out is the spot where Macular Degeneration will begin. About 800 IU daily will help prevent this.

 

There are two pigments in your eye that are what you use as sun filters helping in cutting out blue light from your central vision. These two yellow pigments are vital. They are known as Zeaxanthin and Lutein. Without them Macular Degeneration can set in and increase. They can be gotten from spinach, collard Greens, turnip greens, mustard greens and kale. Or they can be gotten from a supplement of eye vitamins.

 

Since the macula needs to be refreshed by the blood flow you should also include selenium to protect the cell membranes in the retina. The amino acid Taurine will also be helpful in keeping the eyes in good shape and the blood flow sufficient.

 

You also need for good eye care the supplementation of Zinc and N-acetyl cysteine along with some hydrochloric acid. Always eat something when you take it.

 

You will also need a good multi-vitamin to get it all and then some.

So there you have a short article on an important subject.

 

Dane is interested in your health and well being. His main interest now is in nutrition. His web site is http://www.vitaminspower.com. Go--See--Buy.

 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dane_Swanson