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Macular Degeneration
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» Why should You Feed Your Eyes Tomatoes?
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» The AREDS Formulation and Age-Related Macular Degeneration from NIH

Are you choosing the right supplement for you?

The AREDS study (Age Related Eye Disease Study) was designed to:learn more about the natural history and risk factors of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataract and evaluate the effect of high doses of antioxidants and zinc on the progression of AMD and cataract.   Results from the AREDS showed that high levels of antioxidants and zinc significantly reduce the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and its associated vision loss. These same nutrients had no significant effect on the development or progression of cataract.

Information Courtesy of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, University of Illinois

Why should You Feed Your Eyes Tomatoes?

University of Maryland researchers suggest that carotenoids, particularly lycopene may protect the eye against oxidative damage and play a critical role in visual function. The identification of lycopene and a diverse range of dietary carotenoids in ocular tissues suggest that these carotenoids, as well as other nutrients found in tomato-based foods, may work in concert with lutein and zeaxanthin to provide protection against age related macular degeneration and other visual disorders.

Evidently, cooking and processing of tomato products makes lycopene more readily available to the body, indicating that there may be an added health benefit to eating processed tomato foods like tomato soup, pasta sauce and vegetable juices. Ohio State University researchers found that standard daily servings of tomato sausce, tomato soup, and V8 vegetable juice were each effective interventions to significantly increase blood concentrations of lycopene. Lycopene levels increased among study participants by 192% (pasta sauce), 122% (soup) and 92% (vegetable juice) respectively, and plateaued at a new baseline after only 14 days of consumption.

Vitamin C, Vitamin E, beta-Carotene (pro-Vitamin A) and Carotenoids (Lutein & Zeaxanthin) are strong antioxidants i.e. they protect the eye against free radical damage. It seems reasonable to assume that strengthening of the eye defences by increasing the intake of these vitamins would be helpful in preventing the chronic AgingEye diseases. Recent well designed and controlled studies seem to support this assumption. Lycopene (a different type of carotenoid found in tomatoes) protects against prostate cancer and heart disease - therefore the protective effect of these vitamins is not just restricted to the eye.

Eye itch and allergy*

Vitamin C (preferably as mineral ascorbates or ester C) 1000 mg (2 X day)
Quercetin 200 mg (3 X day)
Omega-3 Oils (EPA from fish or ALA from flaxseed) 1000 mg (3 X day)
GLA (borage oil or evening primrose oil) 300 mg (3 X day)
Catechins 2-3 cups of green tea every day
Vitamin A (in multivitamin) 5000 IU every day
Vitamin B6 (in B-complex vitamin) 50 mg every day
Zinc (usually in multivitamin) 15 mg every day
N-acetylcysteine (NAC-potent mucolytic agent) 500 twice a day.
Turmeric Extract (95% curcumin) 400 mg (3 X day)
Rosemary Extract (Rose Ox) 125 mg twice/day
*courtesy of Optometric Management, June 1999