Age-related macular degeneration is the number one cause of blindness in the country. What happens with AMD is your central vision is gradually destroyed. You won't be able to recognize faces, read a clock or even watch TV.

 

Scary? Yes, but luckily, there are many things you can do to slow it down and even prevent it.

 

What you can do to prevent age-related macular degeneration

 

*  Stop eating processed baked goods - donuts, pies, breads, cakes, etc.- they contain hydrogenated fats. Eating foods with hydrogenated fats doubles the odds of progressing to the advanced AMD state.

 

*  Eat more fish. Eating at least two servings of fish a week can cut advanced AMD risk in half.

 

Fish that are the least contaminated with mercury and other nasties are chunk light tuna, talapia, shrimp, fish sticks, cod, haddock, and pollock.

 

* Eat more leafy greens.

 

A Harvard University study found that people who ate 5 servings a week of leafy greens like spinach, kale, Swiss chard, escarole, beet greens, dandelion greens, watercress and arugala were less likely to develop AMD than people with lower intakes.

 

* Eat more foods containing sulfur.

 

A Johns Hopkins study showed that sulforaphane, a natural compound found in broccoli, cabbage, turnips, kale, garlic, wheat germ, onions and eggs protects against light-induced retinal damage.

 

*  Eat foods high in vitamin A, zinc and Vitamins C & E to prevent AMD.

 

Foods high in vitamin A are: carrots, green and yellow vegetables and fruits.

 

Foods high in zinc are: egg yolks kelp, lamb, legumes (peanuts, dried beans and peas), poultry, pecans, lima beans, mushrooms, oysters, pumpkin seeds, sardines, soybeans, sunflower seeds, whole grain breads and cereals.

 

Foods high in vitamin C are: berries, citrus fruits and green vegetables.

 

Foods high in vitamin E are: cold pressed vegetable oils, dark green leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grain breads and cereals.

 

Supplements may be necessary if AMD is advanced. Research sponsored by the National Eye Institute found that high-dose supplements of Vitamin C, E, as well as zinc and beta carotene can lower advanced AMD by 25 percent.

 

* Eat more corn and spinach.

 

The carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin protect the macula region of the eye.  A study published in Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science  showed the when volunteers ate spinach and corn, two rich sources of lutein and zeaxanthin- for 15 weeks, the density of the macular pigment was increased.