Do Snack Foods Increase AMD Risk?
Age-Related Macular Degeneration in people over 50 is the leading cause of vision loss. Just looking at the U.S. 10% of people over 65 have “some” AMD, this number increases as you get older. AMD is preventable similar to other eye conditions. Your eye has a small yellow spot called the macula. This is in the back of your eye and it covers the end of the optic nerve. The macula is yellow from carotenoids it contains – specifically lutein and zeaxanthin great ocular nutritional helpers. Yes, eating lutein and zeaxanthin rich foods can help protect this area of the eye, which is super sensitive. A study done at Harvard by Dr. Johanna Seddon and colleagues found that higher intakes of fatty foods and trans fats, which is found in large numbers in snack foods, increases your risk of AMD. This same study also found that eating carotenoid-rich fruits and vegetables reduced the risk of AMD.1 These ocular nutrients rank high in strengthening the health of your eye. It is never too late to begi