How does diet influence macular degeneration?
Several studies now indicate that diets rich in green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, chard and mustard greens, can reduce the risk of ARMD. These and other vegetables are rich in certain pigments known as carotenoids. Among these, lutein and zeaxanthin are two that are highly concentrated in the macula where they may have effects that protect RPE and/or retinal cells from injury caused by the formation of peroxides and other toxic byproducts of the visual cycle . Lutein and zeaxanthin are now widely available as dietary supplements; however, their efficacy when consumed in this form has not been well studied.
