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What Does Cataract Prevention Have to do with AMD?
November 10, 2009
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What Does Cataract Prevention Have to do with AMD?

Did you know that the prevention of cataracts is tied to lifestyle and nutrition just like it is for macular degeneration?

Did you know that the causes of macular degeneration are similar to the causes of cataracts?

The good news is that if you are making healthy choices to help prevent macular degeneration the lens of your eye will benefit as well.

Cataract Causes

Free radicals cause damage to the lens and to the macula (the small center in the retina) as a result of oxidation. Oxidation leaves the body with thousands of unbalanced electrons.These unstable electrons bring damage to our cells and especially to the lens of the eye and the macula where there is a lot of oxidation.

Keeping our free radicals in balance is extremely critical in the prevention of cataracts, macular degeneration, degenerative diseases, cancer and in the aging battle.

Some of this is a normal part of the aging process, but there are other factors that can cause cataracts to develop earlier. They are:

1) Smoking

2) Ultraviolet Light

3) Unhealthy Diet

Lutein for the Eyes

Zeaxanthin and lutein are powerful antioxidants that protect our eyes from the damages of free radicals. Here is the conclusion of a study that was reported on in January 2008.

The prospective observational data from a large cohort of female health professionals reported:

"higher dietary intakes of lutein/zeaxanthin and vitamin E from food and supplements were associated with significantly decreased risks of cataract."

Archives of Ophthalmology Vol. 126 No. 1, January 2008

To learn more about how to keep our eyes healthy, especially the lens of our eyes and the macula click here:

Cataract and Macular Degeneration

Thanks so much for subscribing to Macular Degeneration News.



Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

Better Health for Better Vision

www.WebRN-MacularDegneration.com

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