Keeping Your Eyes Young

Macular degeneration which is the degeneration of the area in your eyes that you use to read results in blindness and night blindness called retinitis pigmentosa is a result of the outer areas of the retina degenerating. When circulation is poor, for any reason degeneration of the delicate vascular membranes of the eye is the result. This takes years to occur yet typically most of us never do anything to prevent this situation. Keeping your capillaries healthy is the key. Vitamin C and bioflavonoids (bilberry, cranberry, blueberry, others) helps keep them strong. But there is more to do. The blood and its nutrients (oxygen, vitamins, lutein) must pass a membrane, called Bruch’s membrane, which may become calcified over time, blocking nutrient entry and the exit of cellular debris. This can be remedied by taking magnesium, a calcium-antagonist (natural calcium blocker).

Therefore, a nutritional regimen for macular degeneration should include:

1. Habitual wearing of UV-blue blocking sunglasses when outdoors in daylight.

2. Consumption of spinach and kale

3. A daily food supplement regimen that include lutein (6-12 mg), vitamin E (200-400 IU), selenium (organic, nor selenate or selenite) 200 mcg; vitamin B12, 300 mcg; magnesium 400 mg; vitamin C 500-2000 mg; bilberry 120-240 mg; DHA-rich fish oil providing 1000 mg of DHA; sulfur-bearing nutrients (glutathione, lipoic acid, N-acetyl cysteine or taurine

4. Avoid high-dose calcium supplements without balancing magnesium.

5. Avoid hydrogenated fats that interfere with the omega-3 fats.

6. Avoid very low-fat diets, that rob the retina of omega-3 fats.

7. Eat sulfur-rich foods, such as garlic, eggs, asparagus, and onions.

Randy Schaetzke, D.C., D.I.B.A.K.

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