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What’s the Right Balance Between Nutritional Supplements and Eye Health?

nutraceutical2When it comes to protecting your vision, you may have heard that taking nutritional supplements can help delay age-related macular degeneration and other degenerative ocular diseases.  In fact, many ophthalmologists tend to prescribe nutritional supplements to patients who may be concerned with protecting their vision as they get older.

But when it comes down to it, do more nutritional supplements equal better vision? Or should you limit how many vitamins you take?

As it turns out, researchers at the University of Utah decided to find out what happens when you take more nutritional supplements than your body actually needs.  In a groundbreaking study, “researchers found that patients at high risk for visual loss from AMD who took lutein (10 mg) and zeaxanthin (2 mg) supplements reduced their risk of progressing to late stage AMD.”[1]

More specifically, patients who prioritized eating a diet rich in lutein (from foods like broccoli, kale, spinach, avocado, etc.) had greater success reducing crystal deposits in the macular region – a key sign of early onset AMD.

At the end of the study, researchers concluded that although patients who are at a higher risk for AMD should take more nutritional supplements, other patients should prioritize eating a diet that’s rich in key nutrients.  Both steps can play a key role in preventing vision loss from AMD and other ocular diseases.

To learn more about what steps you should take to prevent the onset of AMD, schedule an appointment with Dr. Jacqueline Griffiths at NewView Eye Center in Reston, Virginia.  Dr. Griffiths can provide you with lifesaving examinations and key advice that will keep your eyes healthy for the rest of your life.

NewView Eye Center also serves the greater Washington, DC areas.

[1] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161027094611.htm