Vitamin D & Age-Related Macular Degeneration:
As you age, vitamin D can help your eyes stay healthy and strong. People with early Age Related Macular Degeneration are associated with lower levels of vitamin D in their blood.
“Drink your milk, so you can grow up big and strong.” As kids, many of us probably heard that from our parents. But as adults, milk and other foods high in vitamin D can play an important role in keeping our eyesight healthy and strong as we age and in the over 60’s this becomes critical.
What is Age Related Macular Degeneration?
Among older Americans, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss, with more than 3 million people suffering from it in the US. AMD occurs when part of the retina deteriorates. Because AMD affects the central portion of vision, it impacts daily activities like driving, reading and doing close work. People with early AMD are associated with lower levels of vitamin D in their blood. Including vitamin D in your lifestyle can help keep you from being a part of this affected group. This also comes at a time when studies are linking Vitamin D deficiency to increased serious illness and complications associated with Covid 19. The case for Vitamin D timely and powerful.
Sources of Vitamin D:
While there’s no substitute for vitamin D obtained through sunlight, you can get vitamin D through a variety of foods including milk, cold-water fish such as red sockeye salmon, sardines or cod liver oil and other foods containing essential fatty acids, as well as nutritional supplements. Omega-3 is the most well-known essential fatty acid, which can be found in these foods:
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- Salmon
- Tuna
- Mackerel
- Anchovy
- Trout
- Halibut
- Snapper
- Scallops
- Walnuts
- Pumpkin seeds
- Brazil nuts
- Sesame seeds
- Avocado
- Spinach
- Collard greens
- Dark leafy vegetables
- Nutritional supplements
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Be sure to include at least some of the foods listed here in your daily diet. Keeping your eyes and the rest of your body healthy through good nutrition isn’t good just for kids. It’s good for grown-ups, too.
SoCal Eye and Age-Related Macular Degeneration.
SoCal Eye doctors are the Age-Related Macular Degeneration Specialists in Long Beach. SoCal Eye is a multi-specialty Ophthalmology group made up of university-trained eye surgeons serving Los Angeles and Orange Counties. We cover all aspects of eye health, from routine checks up, to chronic eye disease treatment and surgical solutions to a wide variety of eye issues. We welcome new patients and accept most health plans. Schedule an Appointment today at LAKEWOOD (562) 531-2020 | LOS ALAMITOS (562) 598-7728 or send us an Online Consultation Request
