Macular Degeneration

Macular Degeneration

Being an Alabama-born redneck who was raised on fruits and vegetables, I'm happy to tell all who will listen that the antioxidants and other plant chemicals (phytochemicals) in these foods help prevent heart disease and cancer. Of course, nowadays that's probably not news to you. But maybe here's a new one for you: Did you know that antioxidant nutrients also help save eyesight?

I can't guarantee that if you eat your veggies you'll have good vision when you're as old as Methuselah. But if the studies I've reviewed are correct, you'll certainly have better vision than you would if you ate junk food instead.

Here's why: There is some indication that cell damage caused by highly reactive oxygen molecules (free radicals) plays a role in an eye condition known as macular degeneration. antioxidants are substances that neutralize these free radicals and prevent them from doing harm. And fruits and vegetables, especially leafy vegetables, are simply your best sources of these beneficial substances.

The macula is the central and most sensitive portion of the retina, the nerve-rich area in the back of the eye that is necessary for sight. For unknown reasons, after around age 60, the macula begins to break down. As it degenerates, central vision and fine detail perception deteriorate. (Peripheral vision remains unaffected.)

Macular degeneration affects more than 25 percent of Americans over 65 years old. It is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly. You're at somewhat greater risk of having macular degeneration if you are farsighted or smoke cigarettes. People with light-colored eyes and a family history of the condition are also at greater risk.

Green Pharmacy for Macular Degeneration

Conventional medical therapies don't help much with macular degeneration, which makes nutritional approaches look all the more appealing. Quite a few foods and herbs might help.

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). This fruit and its relatives, blueberry, cranberry, huckleberry, blackberry, grape, plum and wild cherry, have been used traditionally for problems with visual acuity. And scientific research has validated this folk medicine approach.

All of these fruits contain compounds known as anthocyanosides, which are potent antioxidants. In one study, daily treatment with 400 milligrams of bilberry and 20 milligrams of the famous antioxidant beta-carotene improved many participants' night vision and enlarged their visual fields.

Bilberry anthocyanosides also strengthen the capillaries in the retina, which helps slow macular degeneration. Herbal pharmacologist Daniel Mowrey, Ph.D., author of The Scientific Validation of Herbal Medicine and Herbal Tonic Therapies, suggests a tea of bilberry, butcher's broom, centella and ginger for the prevention and treatment of several types of macular degeneration. I agree.

I suggest using a lot of bilberries and adding the other herbs based on whatever you have on hand and how you feel about the taste. Steep the herbs in boiling water for 15 minutes; you can drink a cup of this Eye Tea up to four times a day.

Bilberry Bilberries contain a powerful antioxidant that was once used by eighteenth-century herbalists as an ingredient in mouthwash.

Collard greens (Brassica ole-racea), spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and other vegetables. One study, done by ophthalmologist Johanna Seddon, M.D., of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston, involved surveying almost 900 people, 326 of whom had macular degeneration. Dr. Seddon found that eating antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables at least five times a week cut the risk of macular degeneration in half.

Collard greens, the popular soul food, and spinach, Popeye's favorite food, stood out in Dr. Seddon's study. These vegetables contain the beneficial compounds lutein and zeaxanthin. Vegetables that contain similar compounds that may provide eye protection include bok choy, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, mustard greens, radishes, turnip greens and watercress.

Dr. Seddon's study also found that taking vitamin C and E supplements didn't do much to help prevent macular degeneration, even though both are potent antioxidants. This strengthens my ongoing argument that you're better off with whole, nutrient-rich foods and herbs rather than single-nutrient supplements.

If I had macular degeneration or any risk factors for it, I'd dine regularly on my Cruci-Fix, a steamed mixture of all the cruciferous vegetables I had on hand.

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba). Ginkgo extracts help maintain good blood flow to the retina.

In one six-month study, people who received 80 milligrams of a standardized ginkgo extract twice daily significantly improved their long-distance vision. Another study suggests that ginkgo extract may even reverse damage in the retina. To me this suggests that you should try mixing ginkgo with antioxidant mint teas.

Ginkgo leaves actually contain very little of the active compounds. The best way to get the full benefits of this herb is to use a standardized extract--a 50:1 preparation, which means that 50 pounds of leaves have been processed to make 1 pound of extract. (I occasionally add a few leaves to my blended fresh fruit juices anyway.) The suggested dose of standardized extract is 150 to 300 milligrams a day. (In amounts higher than 240 milligrams, ginkgo may cause diarrhea, irritability and restlessness, so if you experience any of these symptoms, opt for a lower dose.)

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea). A good deal of research shows that soybeans help prevent the retinal breakdown that happens to people with diabetes, a condition known as diabetic retinopathy. It seems that the active constituent in soybeans is genistein. If genistein helps prevent diabetic retinopathy, it also might help prevent macular degeneration.

Many other legumes besides soybeans contain a generous portion of gen-istein. From a taste standpoint, I go for peanuts, which actually contain more genistein than soybeans. In fact, I munch on peanuts nearly every day. Spanish peanuts are also well-endowed with antioxidant compounds known as procyanidins.

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum). Clove oil is a powerful antioxidant. Studies show that it helps prevent the breakdown in the retina of a substance known as docosahexaenoic acid. This action helps preserve vision in old age. I'd suggest adding one or two drops of oil to antioxidant mint teas and enjoying up to four cups a day.

Wolfberry (Lycium chinese). This is a traditional Chinese treatment for blurred vision and other problems with sight. In one study, participants consumed about two ounces (50 grams) of wolfberries a day. Their vision improved significantly. Wolfberries are high in antioxidants and beneficial plant pigments known as carotenoids.