B vitamins in whole grain foods
A recent study indicates that taking a B vitamin supplement daily may reduce your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This finding joins other research in which scientists named low-glycemic foods and certain antioxidants that can reduce the chances you will get this eye disease.
Macular degeneration and B vitamins
The Harvard Medical School study, published in the February issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, included 5,205 women older than 40 years who were free of signs of AMD at the start of the study. They were part of a large trial (Women’s Antioxidant and Folic Acid Cardiovascular Study) in which the impact of supplementation on heart disease was being evaluated.
In April 1998, the women were randomly assigned to receive either a B vitamin supplement (containing 2.5 mg folic acid, 50 mg vitamin B6, and 1 mg vitamin B12) or a placebo. The women took their assigned doses daily through July 2005 and were monitored for the development of AMD until the end of November 2005.
Greens are a source of folic acid
The women who took B vitamin supplement had a 34 percent lower risk of developing AMD and a 41 percent reduce risk of getting the disease with significant vision loss.
What’s so special about these B vitamins and AMD? These specific B vitamins reduce levels of the amino acid homocysteine, which at high levels can damage blood vessels in the eye. B vitamins may also provide other benefits in association with AMD, and experts encourage further study to make this determination.
Other nutrients and macular degeneration
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study, sponsored by the National Eye Institute, was an important research project which found that certain antioxidants, including lutein, zeaxanthin, and zinc, reduce the risk of long-term AMD. A subsequent study, called the Blue Mountains Eye Study, confirmed the findings of the AREDS.
Zucchini is a source of antioxidants
For more information see
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study
Healing the Eye (Phoenix; eye specialists)
Mayo Clinic (Scottsdale; Ophthalmology Department/AMD treatment)
“Reduce your risk of macular degeneration through diet”
Comments
good link on the article on folic acid I really liked that. i have been supplementing recently, from www.momemineral.com and get my b's and folic acid there. Good luck all thanks for the great article.
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