Fish oil saves eyesight

Two recent studies show that eating fish frequently and not smoking may significantly reduce the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The researchers from the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, affiliated with Harvard Medical School in Boston, found that current smokers had a 1.9-fold greater risk of developing AMD, while past smokers increased their risk 1.7-fold, compared to nonsmokers. The study also found that those who ate the most fish -- at least two weekly servings -- reduced their risk of AMD by 45 percent over those who had less than one weekly serving.

Australian researchers at the University of Sydney also recently completed a five-year study of 2,900 people 49 and older, and found that people who ate at least one weekly serving of omega-3 fatty acid-rich fish -- such as salmon and mackerel -- reduced their risk of developing AMD by 40 percent.

Source: http://www.newstarget.com/019605.html

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Gary Moller comments:

I have had several inquiries recently about what can be done for AMD. Unfortunately, there are no cures. However, there are several things that you can do to reduce your risk, slow and possibly slow the progress of this disease.

What is AMD?

Macular degeneration is a progressive eye condition. It may affect as many as 14%-24% of the population aged 65-74 years and 35% of people aged 75 years or more.

The disease attacks the macula of the eye, where our sharpest central vision occurs. Although it rarely results in complete blindness, it robs the individual of all but the outermost, peripheral vision, leaving only dim images or black holes at the centre of vision.

Although it rarely causes total blindness, AMD robs those affected of their sharp central vision and can dim contrast sensitivity and colour perception. It destroys the clear, "straight ahead" central vision necessary for reading, driving, identifying faces, watching television, doing fine detailed work, safely navigating stairs and performing other daily tasks we take for granted. Peripheral vision may not be affected, and it is possible to see "out of the corner of your eye". The impact of developing AMD can be devastating to those who were independent and active prior to the onset. Their visual world gradually diminishes into a vague blur, making ordinary daily activities challenging

Fish oil and other preventive measures

• Eat fish 2-3 x per week
• Take a daily fish oil supplement and/or flax seed oil
• Get lutein for eyes by eating yellow veges and raw egg yolk (check my Super Smoothie recipe)
• Eat daily dark coloured berries
• Eat daily high anti-oxidant foods, including carrots, peppers, all fruit, red grapes and dark, leafy vegetables
• Take a broad spectrum anti-oxidant daily, especially if you have a health condition like diabetes
• Consider taking a nutritional formulation that contains lutein and bilberry. NutraVision for example
• Ensure that health conditions like diabetes are managed to perfection
• Do not smoke and avoid 2nd hand smoke and other environmental pollutants
• Avoid cheap hydrogenated oils including corn and safflour oil
• Avoid highly processed (junk) foods, especially those cooked in cheap oil
• Do daily moderate exercise

The anti-oxidants (which includes lutein) are very important for eye health by soaking up free radicals before they can damage the sensitive tissues of the eye. These are especially important for diabetics. Excessive exercise does not improve health and there is evidence that overdoing it may accelerate ageing possibly by flooding the body with free radicals.

To be of any worth, these measures need to be part of a life-time commitment to a healthy lifestyle that are put in place for years - not just weeks and months.

As I have already said, none of these measures will "cure" the condition; however, your risk of developing AMD will surely be greatly reduced and health in general will be damn good!