Help Prevent Macular Degeneration

HEALTH INFO/NOTES
Dr. Peter Pantel, Ph. D.
410-823-6663

Lutein, Zeaxantin and Zink reduce risk of Macular Degeneration.
Those who consume the most lutein and zeaxanthin least likely to develop age-related macular degeneration
Accoding to this study people 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) including alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cyptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, vitamins A, C and E, iron and zinc.



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 results reported in 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.