It is important to know a thing or two about macular degeneration treatments as you begin to grow older. This is due to how the risk of developing macular degeneration is significantly higher in older individuals. Given this, here are a few key facts about the natural methods of reversing macular degeneration.

Macular Degeneration Treatments | Reversing Macular Degeneration the Natural Way

Prevalence of Macular Degeneration

Life expectancy is increasing as a result of developments in health technology. With the increase of life expectancy comes more age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) cases. Presently, approximately 10 million American have this condition and there are thousands of additional cases each year. That being said, it is the leading cause of vision loss in individuals over the age of 65 years old.

What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

ARMD destroys a person’s central vision. Given this, ARMD compromises a person’s functionality in that he or she would no longer be able to perform tasks like driving or reading. Moreover, the condition worsens as you age.

How Does Age-Related Macular Degeneration Affect Vision?

The condition affects the eye’s macula which is a spot in the retina’s middle part and at the back of the eyeball. Moreover, the macula contains a lot of photoreceptors which are essential in receiving light. ARMD happens when the eye loses its ability to remove cholesterol-filled particles as well as waste products. These waste products then build up behind the eye and thus damages the photoreceptors in the area.

Due to the destruction of the photoreceptors, a blind, blurry, and dark spot will appear in the patient’s central vision. Usually, the patient’s peripheral vision would not deteriorate.

Facts About Natural Treatment for Macular Degeneration

1. Zeaxanthin and Lutein are Carotenoids that Contribute to Macular Optical Pigment Density

Carotenoids are fat-soluble pigments that are orange, red, and yellow in color. Given this, vegetables and fruits of these colors are rich in carotenoids. It is these components that make vegetables such as carrots good for the maintenance and improvement of eye health.

Lutein and zeaxanthin, in particular, are great for reversing or preventing the worsening of macular degeneration. This is because of how these carotenoids tend to accumulate in the area of the retina essential for seeing colors and fine detail. Additionally, these are great antioxidants which helps protect against retina damage due to blue light. Given this, you can actually take vitamins for macular degeneration prevention.

2. Carotenoids Must be Broken Down to Work

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Carotenoids need to be broken down in order to maximize their effects. Experts suggest to take digestive supplements such as lecithin or taurine. Additionally, increasing your HDL cholesterol levels through ingesting olive, flax, or coconut oil can be of great help. HDL cholesterol is responsible for the transportation of zeaxanthin and lutein to the retina.

Examples of carotenoid-rich foods are the following:

• fresh corn
• broccoli
• bell peppers
• carrots
• oranges
• strawberries
• dark leafy greens

3. Taurine Helps Restore Worn Out Eye Tissues

Photoreceptors in the retina contain a lot of taurine which helps protect them from UV light damage. Often, taurine levels tend to decrease significantly with age. Given this, many older individuals tend to struggle with taurine defiiciencies which can contribute to the occurrence of lesions and deterioration of vision. Moreover, you can combat taurine deficiencies through taking supplements or adding more taurine-rich foods to your diet.

4. Ginkgo Biloba Helps With Blood Flow in the Arteries

Ginkgo biloba really helps deter aging processes. Given this, it also helps deter the deterioration of the eye which is why experts advise the addition of 160-240 milligrams of this antioxidant to the diet to combat macular degeneration.

5. Omega-3 Fatty Acids Help Retinal Development and Repair

Having fatty fish such as salmon and trout once a week can significantly reduce the chances of developing AMD. Fatty fishes are very rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Researchers found that DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid in fish oil, is a necessary element in maintaining the retinal cells’ integrity. However, due to the risk of overexposure to mercury, you should be aware of the freshness of your seafood. It is because of this that some people opt to get their DHA from fish oil supplements.

6. Bioidentical Hormones Can Possibly Contribute to ARMD Treatment

As of the moment, bioidentical hormones are being subject to research for us to find out more about how they can contribute to ARMD treatment. According to some reports, people suffering from macular degeneration often have very low DHEA levels in their blood which is connected to very low estrogen or testosterone levels. These hormones are essential for eye health given that the retina also has hormone receptors. This means these also affect vision. Furthermore, scientists believe that bioidentical hormones like progesterone can help prevent and treat macular degeneration.

To learn about exercises you could do to combat macular degeneration, watch this video by Bambridge Medical Arts: 

Age-related macular degeneration can be a problem for many aging people. Luckily, there are natural substances that can function as macular degeneration treatments. These substances can significantly lessen the risk of developing this condition. Given how valuable eye health is, trying to incorporate the given substances into your day to day life can affect the quality of life you are to live when you grow older. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

If you would like a second opinion regarding your ARMD treatment or if you are interested in learning more about homeopathic or alternative treatments (like macular degeneration treatments), visit our website today at www.HealingTheEye.com and seek a referral from your physician.

Do you know of any other natural substances that can help prevent age-related macular degeneration? Let us know in the comments below.

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Editor’s Note – This post was originally published on June 27, 2017 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.