Macular degeneration
From The Nutritional Health Bible by Linda Lazarides (1997). This free database is provided for interest only. Linda's later writings refer to more up-to-date research.
Some causative factors- Vegetable deficiency
- Zinc deficiency.
Levels of individual carotenoids and tocopherols (vitamin E) were measured in subjects with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) of the eyes and in controls. Individuals with the lowest levels of the carotenoid lycopene (found in tomatoes) were twice as likely to have ARMD. Serum antioxidants and age-related macular degeneration in a population-based case-control study. Mares-Perlman JA, Brady WE, Klein R et al: Arch Ophthalmol 113 (12):1518-23, 1995.
Eye health and dietary factors were compared in 976 subjects. Despite the fact that none of the participants had any clinical nutritional deficiencies, high dietary vitamin E consumption (from food, not supplements) was associated with a protective effect against age-related macular degeneration, and vitamin C and beta-carotene were also protective. West S et al: Are antioxidants or supplements protective for age-related macular degeneration? Arch Ophthalmol 112(2):222-7, 1994.
Dietary factors and eye health were compared in 1968 subjects aged 43 to 86. Those with the highest zinc consumption from foods had a lower risk of age-related macular degeneration. Mares-Perlman JA et al: Association of zinc and antioxidant nutrients with age-related maculopathy. Arch Ophthalmol 114(8):991-7, 1996.
Carotenoids and antioxidant vitamins may help to retard some of the destructive processes in the retina that lead to age-related macular degeneration. Snodderly DM: Evidence for protection against age-related macular degeneration by carotenoids and antioxidant vitamins. Am J Clin Nutr 62(6 Suppl):1448S-1461S, 1995.
Promising nutritional researchIn a double-blind placebo-controlled study, a group of patients suffering from macular degeneration experienced significantly less visual loss after receiving zinc supplementation than a control group. Newsome DA et al: Oral zinc in macular degeneration. Arch Ophthalmol 106(2):192-8, 1988.
In a double-blind placebo-controlled trial the herb Ginkgo biloba or a placebo was given to 10 patients with macular degeneration. A statistically significant improvement in long-distance visual acuity was observed after treatment with Gingko biloba. Lebuisson DA et al: Treatment of senile macular degeneration with Ginkgo biloba extract. A preliminary double-blind drug vs. placebo study (in French). Presse Med 15(31):1556-8, 1986.
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, zinc supplements or placebo were given to 151 patients with drusen (white eye deposits) or macular degeneration. The zinc group experienced significantly less visual loss than the placebo group after a follow-up of 12 to 24 months. Newsome DA et al: Oral zinc in macular degeneration. Arch Ophthalmol 106(2):192-8, 1988.