Dietary Guidance for Macular Degeneration: Foods to Consume and Steer Clear Of
For individuals diagnosed with wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), maintaining a balanced diet rich in specific nutrients can potentially slow the progression of the condition.
Leafy greens, such as spinach and kale, are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants known to support retinal health. These 'eye vitamins' help protect the eyes from damage caused by free radicals and could help slow the progression of AMD.
Fatty fish like salmon and mackerel, high in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can reduce advanced AMD progression by about 25%.
Fruits and vegetables, particularly those rich in vitamins C and E, zinc, and other antioxidants, are also beneficial. Citrus fruits, such as oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes, are loaded with vitamin C, one of the body's staunchest defenders against cell damage caused by free radicals.
Brightly colored vegetables, such as carrots, are full of provitamin A carotenoids, which can be turned into vitamin A to preserve and maintain vision. Nuts and seeds, such as almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, peanuts, and walnuts, are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, another antioxidant that plays a role in maintaining eye health.
In addition to these food sources, supplements with vitamin C (500 mg/day), vitamin E (400 IU/day), beta-carotene (15 mg/day), zinc oxide (80 mg/day), and copper (2 mg/day) may also be helpful, based on findings from clinical trials like AREDS2.
On the other hand, high-fat diets, particularly those rich in trans and saturated fats, are associated with increased risk of AMD progression and should be limited. Ultra-processed foods, like junk food and fast food, have no nutritional value and can cause real harm to the body, contributing to obesity and inflammation, which can lead to serious health conditions like heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and potentially macular degeneration.
Maintaining a balanced diet, controlling systemic conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity, and quitting smoking can all help minimize the progression of macular degeneration.
In summary, a diet emphasizing leafy greens, colorful vegetables, fatty fish rich in omega-3s, and antioxidant-rich fruits, along with appropriate supplementation, is recommended to potentially slow wet AMD progression.
[1] Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) Research Group. Lutein + Zeaxanthin and Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2013;309(19):2005–2015. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.278897 [2] Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) Research Group. A Randomized Trial of Lutein + Zeaxanthin for Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Arch Ophthalmol. 2012;130(2):176–186. doi:10.1001/archophthalmol.2011.440 [3] Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) Research Group. A Randomized Trial of Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Arch Ophthalmol. 2006;124(12):1607–1613. doi:10.1001/archophthalmol.124.12.1607 [4] Seddon JM, Ajani UA, Sperduto RD, et al. Dietary Carotenoids, Vitamins A, C, and E, and Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the Women's Antioxidant and Aging Study Follow-Up. Arch Ophthalmol. 2001;119(12):1707–1714. doi:10.1001/archopht.119.12.1707 [5] Chiu DS, Seddon JM, Rosner BA, et al. Dietary Fat, Carotenoids, and Risk of Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Arch Ophthalmol. 1998;116(11):1476–1483. doi:10.1001/archopht.116.11.1476
- Individuals with wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) might find it beneficial to incorporate lutein and zeaxanthin, found in leafy greens like spinach and kale, into their diet, as these antioxidants are known to support retinal health and potentially slow the progression of AMD.
- Fruits rich in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, can be part of a diet aimed at preserving eye health, given that vitamin C is one of the body's strongest defenses against cell damage caused by free radicals.
- Consuming brightly colored vegetables, like carrots, can provide provitamin A carotenoids, which can be turned into vitamin A to preserve and maintain vision.
- Nuts and seeds, which are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, another antioxidant that plays a role in maintaining eye health, can be included in a balanced diet.
- Ultra-processed foods, like junk food and fast food, have no nutritional value and should be avoided, as they can contribute to obesity, inflammation, and potentially lead to serious health conditions like heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and macular degeneration.
