In order to understand what is an antioxidant, one must first understand what is a free radical? And even more important how does a free radical damage the eyes, especially the macula and how does an anti-oxidant benefit the eyes?

What is a Free Radical

Free radicals cause cell damage - at the DNA level - which can result in inflammation, aging, cancer and autoimmune disorders.

How do they cause this damage? Free radicals are the result of normal chemical reactions in the body called oxidation which then leaves the body with thousands of unbalanced electrons.

These unstable electrons can then cause damage to our cells and especially the macula where there is a lot of oxidation occuring.

The dangers of oxidative stress on the macula were reported in this article in Pub Med.

"Oxidized phospholipids in the macula increase with age and in eyes with age-related macular degeneration.

There is good evidence that oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)."

Suzuki M, Kamei M, Itabe H, Yoneda K, Bando H, Kume N, Tano Y. Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Medical School, Suita, Japan. msuzuki@ophthal.med.osaka-u.ac.jp PMID: 17563727 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Benefits of Antioxidants

What are the benefits of antioxidants to the macula and for those who are concerned about macular degeneration? Antioxidants supply the missing electron that is needed to balance the free radical so that the cell is neutralized and now unable to cause damage and injury to healthy cells and tissue.

The 2005 study in the Netherlands sought to evaluate whether antioxidants that are present in normal foods could play a role in preventing age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Those who had an above-average intake of Beta Carotene, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Zinc had a 35 percent reduced risk of AMD.

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Benefits of Antioxidants

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Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

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