Mark Schumacher

Lutein For Eyes and Macula Health

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness among people 55 and older.  Read what you can do to help slow the disease, or perhaps prevent it altogether.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness among people 55 and older. As AMD progresses, tiny, fragile blood vessels begin to develop in the retina. These vessels often leak blood and fluids that can cause further damage. Some of the initial signs of macular degeneration may be blurred vision, straight lines appearing crooked, and dark or empty spaces in the central vision.

The macula is in the center of the retina and helps produce sharp vision for reading and seeing clearly. The density of the macular pigment is what protects the retina. Density checks are used to measure the health of the eyes.

Lutein is the predominant antioxidant found in the macula, and science believes it is more important than beta carotene for eye health. Therefore, taking Lutein for your eyes makes a lot of sense. There are other vitamins for macular degeneration that are also very important.

As noted, there is no known cure for macular degeneration so the best course of action, in addition to what is outlined below, is preventing macular degeneration. There are also some specific nutrients that science has shown may help slow the progression of the disease.

First it is important to understand a few things about AMD. Smoking and alcohol consumption reduce the density of pigment in the macula. Excess sun exposure and possible too much computer time may decrease pigment density. Since the macula receives the most light and is susceptible to blue light damage, it is important to maintain the Lutein levels. Lutein has been proven to filter out blue light. Dietary intake of Lutein from a quality source will increase the density of the pigment, thereby helping to protect the macula.

There are other vitamins for macular degeneration prevention and healing. You need have to have a superior, quality vitamin/mineral/enzyme product, such as SONA Multi by Enerex, along with their Omega 3-6-9 product made with primrose oil, before you can add specific additional supplementation such as Lutein for eyes. So make sure you are doing what you need for general health in diet, supplementation, water, and exercise before adding the following four nutrients.

The four critical nutrients to add to your diet for general eye health and preventing macular degeneration are Lutein, bilberry, grape seed extract, and additional vitamin C.

Lutein works as an antioxidant for the eyes. Be sure to use only products that have an ester free extract from the marigold plant as this will have four times the strength of regular Lutein, more costly, but worth the money. You need 6mg of this strength, one to three times daily.

Bilberry contains flavanoids and anthocyanin, which serve to prevent capillary fragility, thin the blood and protect collagen structures in the blood vessels of the eyes. This helps insure healthy capillaries to carry vital nutrients to the eye muscles and nerves. Take 50mg of bilberry extract, once to three times daily, making sure that the formula has 25% anthocyanidins.

Grape Seed Extract, with 95% proanthocyanidins and catechins, inhibits enzymes that damage capillary elasticity. Keeping the capillaries flexible and allowing blood to flow properly is critical for eye health. Grape seed extract has been used extensively for improving blood flow to the brain, heart, and eyes. Take 50mg one to three times daily.

Vitamin C is involved in virtually every reaction in the body and is required for the synthesis of the connective tissue such as collagen. It is a powerful  antioxidant and helps protect the optic nerves from free radical damage. Take a 350mg capsule, once to three times daily.

Enerex carries a supplement specifically for eye health called Vision Rx.  That, along with all of the other supplements mentioned here can be found with the on-line retailer Herbal Integrity.  They carry the complete line of Enerex products.

Article Tags: Macular Degeneration, Three Times

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