5 Vitamins a Day to Keep Macular Degeneration at Bay

Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is something you may be familiar with for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you are reading this because an aging parent currently suffering from macular degeneration has been urging you to look into eye vitamins that can help preserve vision, or maybe an optometrist has already diagnosed you with the signs that lead to advanced macular degeneration.

Changing your diet and taking vitamins every day to remedy chronic blurred vision or blindness sounds almost too good to be true, right? You may be wondering why more people don’t know about the benefits of these vitamins if they really work that well.

It is true: many people have had success repairing their vision simply by making sure their bodies, and their eyes, are getting the necessary nutrition to function properly.

Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, has even been classified as a nutrition-responsive disease by the National Eye Institute, which gives new meaning to the age-old adage, “you are what you eat.” Certain antioxidant vitamins and zinc have been shown to help prevent vision loss in those suffering from macular degeneration.

Let’s go over the vitamins and minerals that could help your future look brighter. But keep in mind, you should still consult with your medical doctor before beginning any nutritional supplement regime. The following is a list of the particular eye vitamins that have been shown help regress the macular degeneration: Vitamins C, E, Beta-Carotene and Zinc.

 1. Vitamin C

According to the American Optometric Association, vitamin C is not only vital to healthy cells throughout our bodies but is also used by our eyes to build healthy ocular blood vessels. The American Optometric Association states that when you take vitamin C  in conjunction with other antioxidant vitamins like A, E and zinc, you can reduce the progression of macular degeneration by as much as 25 percent.

We all know that oranges contain vitamin C. However, some people may not be aware of the fact that spinach and tomatoes also contain this nutrient. Adding all of these foods to your diet in more prominent amounts will help reduce the progression of AMD.

2. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant thought to protect the cells of our eyes by breaking down toxic free radicals before they can cause damage. Studies have shown that including Vitamin E, along with other vitamins and minerals, can reduce your chance of developing age-related macular degeneration. There are actually 8 different forms of vitamin E that our bodies use. However, many supplements contain only one form of vitamin E. If at all possible, you should try to add vitamin E rich foods to your diet.

Foods containing vitamin E include spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, peanut butter, olives, blueberries, and mangos. There is a lot you can do with these foods. Try blending them into a smoothie to enjoying them raw as an afternoon snack. The more you incorporate into your diet now, the more your eyes will thank you years from now.

3. Beta Carotene or Vitamin A

Vitamin A, or beta carotene, helps your body to protect the important surface of your eyes. Adequate intake of vitamin A, in conjunction with the other vitamins on this list, will reduce the symptoms and incidents of macular degeneration. Vitamin A is another antioxidant that helps prevent free radicals from damaging the surface of your eyes. Carrots are the most well-known source of this vitamin, but other vegetables and fruits also contain this vision powerhouse.

Many of the foods you may already be eating contain vitamin A. Liver, eggs, spinach and yes carrots all contain significant amounts of Vitamin A. Because vitamin A is so beneficial to the human body, it is also often added to the milk we drink. A good rule of thumb is that the the more highly pigmented, or colorful, the leafy green or orange fruit or vegetable is, the more vitamin A it contains.

4. Zinc

Zinc is defined as an essential trace mineral. It is responsible for ensuring that vitamin A travels from our livers all the way to our retinas. Adequate daily intake of zinc, especially in conjunction with the other vitamins in this list, has been shown to reduce the progression of macular degeneration. Our bodies cannot produce zinc, so ensuring that it is a part of our diet is especially important.

Oysters are one of the best natural sources of zinc; however, you can also find zinc in beef, eggs, bran flakes, yogurt, and lobster. If you choose a supplement instead of gaining this mineral from natural foods, make sure the supplement also includes copper.

5. Copper

It’s important to increase your intake of copper when taking the other nutrients on this list. This is because high levels of zinc can result in a copper deficiency. A copper deficiency can lead to an increased risk of infections and even anemia. While our bodies normally need only very small amounts of copper to function properly, it is still an essential mineral. Copper acts in our body as an antioxidant that encourages the flexibility of the tissues in the eye. As we age, our eyes lose flexibility, just as the rest of our body often does. Copper is also necessary for proper brain function.

Some natural sources of copper include liver, oysters, eggs and dark green leafy vegetables. However, because the amounts found in natural food sources, you may need to add a supplement to your regimen.

The Rebuild Your Vision Ocu-Plus Formula

No one wants to start their day by taking a handful of vitamins, especially if they are already taking other medications on a daily basis. Taking five different supplements every day may not be your cup of tea. So, we at Rebuild Your Vision created an all-inclusive supplement that will help you get all of these nutrients (and more)

The Rebuild Your Vision Ocu-Plus Formula is a premium, high-quality product which means that your body can process and use the nutrients in our formula safely and easily. Rest assured that our nutrients are all-natural and are preservative-free. Our Ocu-Plus formula contains all of the eye vitamins for macular degeneration in the above list. Plus, it contains 12 more vitamins and herbs that may just help you prevent everything from dry eyes to cataracts.

Strong, healthy eyes are a necessity if you want to enjoy your life. Just because we’re getting older doesn’t mean that we don’t want to see and experience each day to the fullest.