Can health food improve vision?

Many people suffer from deterioration of eyesight. Now researchers have found that a specific diet that contains high doses of lutein, zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acid, can improve vision.

In US, about 4.5 million people suffer from age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Trigger for the disease of the retina is changes in the blood vessels. AMD can severely limit the daily lives of those people who suffer from such disorders. It becomes increasingly difficult to reading or watching TV or even make this actions impossible.

AMD is – not only an age-related disease, but may also depending by the lifestyle – in particular through the eating habits. therefore researchers at the Department of Ophthalmology at the University Hospital in Leipzig have examined what nutrients can improve the metabolic processes in the eye.

Dietary supplements can stop age-related macular degeneration.

At the study take a pert 200 patients who suffered from a dry form of AMD. For over a year they received supplements containing lutein, zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acid. As a result, it was found that the amount of macular pigment significantly increased and the progression of macular degeneration could be slowed or even stopped.

“We know now for sure that we can effectively influence at the dry macular degeneration by a simple, targeted dietary advice,” commented scientists. “This is a great opportunity and hope for our patients.”

The effect can be achieved by both dietary supplements and by the changes in diet. Lutein is found mainly in green vegetables such as cabbage or broccoli, omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish and various oils. Zeaxanthin was found in corn, egg yolk and various vegetables.