According to a recent post by Andrew Weil, MD multiple studies have again reiterated the importance of a nutrition and healthy diet in reducing the risk of Macular Degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss in older Americans.  ”Dr. Weil has been a real pioneer in integrative medicine”, according to Dr. John Henahan at Spectrum Eyecare in Peachtree City. “I have long worked to integrate nutrition counseling and judicious use of supplements to reduce the risk of eye disease and improve symptoms of various eye conditions”, continues Dr. Henahan.

“Researchers at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS)-funded Laboratory for Nutrition and Vision Research have found that the combination of a low-glycemic diet combined with vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids can help maintain quality of life and reduce health care costs due to sight-robbing eye diseases.”, reports Dr. Weil in his recent post.  A low glycemic diet has many other health benefits (Learn more). Omega-3 fatty acids, especially those found in fish oil have recently been reported to reduce the risk of macular degeneration markedly.  They also reduce dry eye symptoms in about 70% of patients.

Dr. Weil favors additional lifestyle and dietary changes to help reduce the risk of macular degeneration.  These include smoking cessation, sunglasses, and a diet rich in Vitamins, C, E as well as lutein and zinc.  According to Dr. Weil’s website, “Vitamin C-rich foods include citrus fruits, melons, tomatoes, potatoes and broccoli. You can get vitamin E from soybeans, greens, fish, wheat germ, nuts and seeds.Dietary sources of zinc are legumes (peas, dried beans, garbanzos/chickpeas, black-eyed peas, lentils and soy products) and whole grains. The carotenoid pigment lutein is found naturally in spinach, kale, collard greens, romaine lettuce and peas. Other protective compounds are the red and purple pigments found in berries and other fruit. Eat berries, especially blueberries, often. You can also get these pigments into your diet with supplements of bilberry, grape seed extract or pine bark extract. My recommendations for daily vitamin E are to take 400-800 IU of natural mixed tocopherols, or at least 80 mg of natural mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols. People under 40 should take 400 IUs a day; people over 40, 800 IUs.”

At Spectrum Eyecare, Dr. Henahan favors a preventive approach to macular degeneration.  ”You must act as soon as the earliest signs of macular pigment loss are apparent, which often occurs in the forties and fifties.  If you wait until macular degeneration is apparent, then it is too late to prevent it.  If your doctor is not looking carefully for signs of early macular pigment loss, called drusen, then you may be missing an opportunity to prevent this devestating condition.”, reports Dr. Henahan.  ”Look for health care professionals that want to partner with you to help you stay well, not wait until your eye is sick.”

Large-scale study shows omega-3 fatty acids may lessen AMD severity

At Spectrum Eyecare in Peachtree City, Dr. John Henahan has long been an advocate for use of high quality fish oil in treating dry eye.  Now a new study from National Institutes of Health researchers found that those reporting the highest intake of omega-3 fatty acids (from fish oil) had the lowest reported rating of Age related Macular Degeneration (AMD) severity.

J.R. Chang, MD, and colleagues reported that “dietary DHA/EPA (the key components of fish oil) was inversely related to AMD score in energy-adjusted comparisons of participants reporting highest vs. lowest quintile intake.”  In other words, those with the highest level of fish oil intake had the lowest risk of AMD.

There were 4,203 patients in the study; they had a baseline mean age of 73 years; and 57% of the patients were women. All patients had good visual function at baseline, but the majority had risk factors for progression to advanced AMD, according to the poster.

“This is the strongest evidence yet that we can help reduce the severity or possibly even prevent macular degeneration in at risk patients with a strong nutritional program that includes fish oil, lutein and other vitamins”, according to Dr. Henahan.

“Historically, I have been recommending smoking cessation, polarized sunglasses, a multi-vitamin and 20mg of natural lutein per day.  But now I will be adding fish oil to my recommendations.  The great thing about fish oil is that it appears to have so many collateral benefits, such as reducing symptoms of dry eye, improving cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of cardiovascular events. However, those taking blood thinners (such as coumadin) should consult their physician before beginning fish oil”, continued Dr. Henahan.

When looking at fish oil supplements, it is important to shop very, very carefully.  Lower quality fish oils have increased contaminants such as lead or mercury and lower levels of the key omega-3′s called EPA and DHA.  Look for at least 40% of these components in each capsule.

At Spectrum Eyecare, Dr. Henahan takes the time to truly understand how he can work with patients to prevent the most serious eye diseases, especially through the use of nutritional supplements and other non-drug interventions.  Of course, he uses prescription medications when indicated, so you can be sure that you will get the best of both traditional and natural medicine to provide a lifetime of great vision.  If you would like to have Dr. Henahan evaluate you, please contact us by clicking here or calling 770-487-0667. Dr. Henahan is in the Peachtree City office every Monday, Wednesday and Friday as well as two Saturday’s per month.

The Washington Post on March 16 reported that, according to the Nutrition Business Journal, people in the US “spent an estimated $10 billion on” vitamin and mineral supplements in 2008.

This is despite the fact that “recent studies undertaken to assess their benefits have delivered a flurry of disappointing results.The supplements failed to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, heart attacks, strokes, type 2 diabetes, and premature death.” These studies have caused many to question the benefit of supplements.

However, in the case of eye disease, “people who have at least moderate age-related mascular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness, may be able to limit further damage by taking a daily supplement that contains vitamins C, E and beta carotene.”

Lutein and Zeaxanthin are likely to be even more important in slowing the progression (or even preventing the development) of AMD.”, according to John Henahan, OD, FAAO optometrist at Spectrum Eyecare in Peachtree City.  Getting enough lutein in your diet, through dark green leafy vegetables, such as kale, collard greens or cooked spinach is ideal, but for most of us that just isn’t going to happen regularly.  That is where a high quality lutein/zeaxanthin supplement can come in handy.  Dr. Henahan recommends a 20mg per day dose of lutein.  ”Lutein supplements are widely available in stores”, according to Dr. Henahan.  ”Just be sure that you choose the naturally occurring FloraGlo version which is derived from marigold flowers.”, he continues.

If you or a family member are at risk for AMD, contact Spectrum Eyecare and Dr. Henahan in Peachtree City for a complete eye examination.  We will take the time to thoroughly examine your eyes and discuss the best ways to ensure a lifetime of healthy vision!