PHYTONUTRIENTS

HEALTH INFO/NOTES
Dr. Peter Pantel

Antioxidants

Lutein, Zeaxantin and Zink reduce risk of Macular Degenearation

Those who consume the most lutein and zeaxanthin least likely to develop age-related macular degeneration

Those whose diets contained the most lutein, zeaxanthin and zinc had the least risk for going blind in the center of the field of vision, a condition known as age-related macular degeneration or AMD, according to a new study.
Researchers from the University of Sydney, Australia, followed over 2000 men and women for 5 and 10 years. Scientists also measured nutrients in the diet (not synthetic or concentrates) ncluding alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cyptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, vitamins A, C and E, iron and zinc.
Those who consumed the most zinc were 44% less likely to have AMD.
Those who consumed the most lutein and zeaxanthin were 65% less likely to develop Age Related Mcaular Degeneration. Those who consumed just above-average amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin were 34% less likely to develop early signs of AMD (reticular drusen), compared to those below average. Those who consumed the most zinc were 44% less likely to have any type of AMD compared to those who consumed less zinc.
Doctors noted that the results supported the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, a large multi-center U.S. study funded by the National Eye Institute that followed 4,700 participants and found that antioxidants protect against AMD.
Ophthalmology: July, 2007.