Age-Related Macular Degeneration Can Be Avoided By Taking Nutrients

Researchers concluded that eating yellow and green vegetables may help people aged 60 and older avoid age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness.

They have conducted a new study of some 4,500 people aged 60-80 who were screened for age-related macular degeneration, which hampers central vision.

In surveys, participants reported how often they had eaten 90 different foods during the past year. Those foods included yellow and green veggies rich in the nutrients lutein and zeaxanthin.

Those with the highest self-reported intake of foods rich in lutein and zeaxanthin were 35 percent less likely than those with the lowest lutein and zeaxanthin intake to have "wet" age-related macular degeneration.

"Wet" age-related macular degeneration involves the growth of abnormal blood vessels beneath the macula. Those blood vessels leak blood and fluid, disrupting vision.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration Can Be Avoided By Taking Nutrients