engleski

Food Ingredients with an Effect on Age-related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration – AMD is a medical condition affecting the macular area of the eye, and represents the most common cause of irreversible vision loss in people aged older then 50 years. The objectives of the work were to gather the data on how food ingredients towards slowing down the process of agerelated macular degeneration and early loss of central vision. Certain food ingredients can affect vision improvement. Recommended daily doses of beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc can reduce the risk of early to advanced progression of AMD by 25%. Lutein and Zeaxanthin (belong to the group of carotenoids, and are most abundant in green leafy vegetables) have a protective effect to some extent towards preventing macular degeneration, and that in the early phase, but they do not have a meaningful effect towards preventing it in its advanced stages. Greater fat intake in diets is connected with the increased prevalence of early and advanced AMD in many studies, while greater intake of fish meat and omega-3 fatty acids is connected with the lower rates of AMD. Consuming polyphenols (subgroup of flavonoids, mostly present in berry type fruits) which also have a high antioxidant effect can be preventive towards the emergence and progression of AMD. It is proven that Mediterranean diet has a protective role in terms of the development of advanced AMD. Proper diet rich with antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and polyphenols has a correspondingly positive effect in the prevention and delay in eye related illness’ development, especially in the case of AMD, hence during the ophthalmic examination of persons who are in the risk groups it is important to emphasize and council them on the importance of a proper diet.

age-related macular degeneration ; vision ; nutrition

nije evidentirano