| The most common cause of blindness in people over | | | | Yellow cornmeal (457), Spinach, raw (331), Turnip |
| age 55 in Western industrialized nations is age-related | | | | greens (267), Collards, drained (266), Lettuce, |
| macular degeneration (AMD). It affects over 1.8 | | | | romaine, raw (187), Kale (173), Tangerines, raw (112), |
| million Americans over the age of 40, with | | | | Orange juice, frozen concentrate (80), Oranges, raw |
| approximately 8 million more at risk. Sufferers can | | | | (74). |
| become debilitated and unable to read, recognize | | | | If you have macular degeneration or want to |
| faces, or drive. | | | | prevent it, here are some simple steps you can take |
| AMD occurs when abnormal blood cells grow in the | | | | to protect your vision: |
| eye, damage the retina, and blur central vision. | | | | (1) Get plenty of antioxidants-vitamins C and E, beta |
| The most common form of macular degeneration is | | | | carotene, and the mineral zinc: These carotenoids are |
| the dry type. It is caused by a combination of | | | | found in large quantities in berries, fruits, and green |
| oxidative stress and cumulative exposure to the blue | | | | vegetables. |
| light from the sun. | | | | (2) Get plenty of zeaxanthin and lutein: These |
| The human eye contains the highest concentration of | | | | carotenoids are found in large quantities in dark |
| lutein and zeaxanthin in the body. The highest | | | | colored berries. The NingXia wolfberry is the richest |
| concentration of zeaxanthin is in the vision sensing | | | | known source of zeaxanthin and antioxidants. |
| part of the eye, the fovea. Two and a half times | | | | (3) Take fish oil or cod liver oil regularly: A fat found |
| more zeaxanthin than lutein is found here. | | | | in fish (DHA) may help protect and promote healthy |
| When the eyes become chronically short changed of | | | | retinal function. |
| dietary zeaxanthin, the retinal pigment loses density | | | | (4) Avoid trans fats: A diet high in partially |
| over time, resulting in the loss of central vision. | | | | hydrogenated oils appears to contribute to macular |
| Although AMD damage to the eyes is permanent, | | | | degeneration. |
| the impairment can be slowed by increasing the | | | | (5) Use sunglasses or hat: Covering your eyes from |
| optical density of the retina. Researchers believe the | | | | the direct rays of the sun has been shown to reduce |
| best way to do this is to increase your dietary intake | | | | retinal oxidative stress. |
| of zeaxanthin and lutein, as well as high antioxidant, | | | | Eating a diet rich in antioxidants can reduce your risk |
| high polyphenolic nutrients. | | | | of developing macular degeneration by 50 percent. |
| This is a list of twelve foods that contain the highest | | | | Consuming foods high in antioxidants are probably |
| amount of zeaxanthin (mcg per 100 grams of food): | | | | more effective than taking isolated supplements. |
| NingXia wolfberry, dried (27,800), Egg yolk (1,253), | | | | |