Diet to Treat Macular Degeneration

The macula is a small central part of the retina for detailed vision. Macular degeneration is a slow, progressive disease that affects both eyes, typically one after the other. Due to its slow development, macular degeneration may take years to be noticeable. Macular degeneration affects as many as 30 million Americans aged 65 and above. If you are 65, you have 25 percent of developing macular degeneration; your risk increases to 30 percent if you are over 75.

Macular degeneration may be due to various reasons

hereditary

hypertension

high cholesterol

 sun damage

smoking

According to conventional Western medicine, macular degeneration is incurable. But macular degeneration can be treated naturally with:

High doses of antioxidants and minerals from your diet: beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc

Beta-carotene enables your body to convert plants into vitamin A and to boost normal cell reproduction in the eye, thereby protecting the eye from free radicals and improving night vision,

Vitamin C boosts and strengthens your immune system, and is a potent agent for making collagen to maintain healthy blood vessels in the eye.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects cell membranes.

Zinc, a mineral required by more than 300 enzymes to repair wounds, optimizes vision health, and protects the eye from free radicals.

Remember, with the exception of vitamin D from sunlight, your body does not make your own vitamins and minerals; you must obtain the above from your diet. Antioxidants and vitamins and minerals are critical to vision health in preventing and treating generative diseases, such as macular degeneration.

Nutritional supplements: lutein, Taurine, DHA, and ginkgo biloba

Lutein, a carotenoid found in vegetables and fruits, such as collard greens, kale, and spinach, promotes vision health through its potent antioxidant properties.

Taurine promotes retinal health and improves nigh vision by transporting nutrients to the eye as well as eliminating toxic accumulation in the eye

DHA, an essential Omega-3 fatty acid, enhances the development of the retina.

Ginkgo biloba is an ancient Chinese herb for vision health.

For more information on vision health, read my book: Vision Self-Healing Self-Help. .

Yes, macular degeneration is treatable. Albert Einstein once said: "There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle." Believe in a miracle cure, even for macular degeneration. Change your lifestyle and your diet. More importantly, change your mindset.   

Stephen Lau

Copyright© by Stephen Lau