by Carrie A. Corson, from the January 2002 Newsletter

According to Nutritional Outlook, a magazine dedicated to reporting on the creation, production, and distribution of nutritional supplements, eye health is one of the leading consumer health concerns in the United States. The focus of much of this concern is age-related macular degeneration or ARMD. It affects more Americans than cataracts and glaucoma combined, and is caused by the deterioration of the central portion of the retina, often the result of damage done by harmful UV rays and free radicals.

Researchers believe that some natural antioxidants may be the key to reducing the risk of ARMD. Two such antioxidants are lutein and zeaxanthin, which can be found in dark green, leafy vegetables like spinach and collard greens. These are the only two carotenoids found in the retina.

According to Andrew Shao, PhD., "The relationship of lutein and macular health is strong because of the specific deposition of the macula. As an antioxidant, lutein deposits in the macula, the part of the eye that controls vision, and helps filter out harmful blue light preventing it from reaching and damaging the sensitive back tissue of the retina." Lutein and zeaxanthin can also be found in supplement form, usually derived from marigold flower concentrate.

Another natural antioxidant that has shown powerful results in eye protection is astaxanthin. Like lutein, it is classified as a carotenoid. But research has shown it to have antioxidant capability more than 10 times greater than lutein. According to the Life Extension Foundation, one of the challenges associated with eye nutrition is the body's limited ability to deliver nutrients to the proper areas in the eye. Unlike beta-carotene, astaxanthin can cross the blood-brain barrier to offer protection against oxidation in the retina. Astaxanthin also protects the retina against free radical damage. Supplements containing astaxanthin are available at the Co-op. These supplements are derived from red algae.

Many of you may be familiar with bilberry, which has been nicknamed the vision herb. Research has shown that bilberry improves the delivery of oxygen and blood to the eye; helps maintain the integrity of capillaries; helps stimulate the production of rhodopsin needed for night vision; and contains antioxidants for healthy tissues and strengthening collagen.

Eyes can also benefit from the minerals zinc and selenium. Selenium helps in the absorption of vitamin E and helps our body produce its own antioxidants, while zinc helps our bodies absorb vitamin A and makes up part of an enzyme that helps reduce free radicals. Zinc may also protect against macular degeneration and night blindness. Foods that contain zinc are meat, mushrooms, seeds, nuts, eggs, whole grain products, and brewer's yeast. Selenium can be found in tuna, wheatgerm, wheatbran, whole wheat bread, tomatoes and broccoli.

So your Mom was right all along. Eat plenty of green, leafy vegetables and some of those red and yellow veggies wouldn't hurt. For more information on eye health, you may find the Web sites for the American Macular Degeneration Foundation and All About Vision helpful.

 

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