Neal Adams - Healthy Vision: Prevent and Reverse Eye Disease through Better Nutrition

Neal A. Adams, MD is a leading expert in ophthalmology. He is editor-in-chief of a peer-reviewed medical journal in his field, Eye Reports, and has served as chief of the Division of Visual Physiology at the Wilmer Eye Institute of the Johns Hopkins Hospital and chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine at Texas Tech University. Dr. Adams has received many honors as a highly skilled surgeon and clinician. He has coined a new category of eye conditions called the retinal ciliopathies. His private clinical practice in suburban Washington, DC, focuses on providing patients with medical, surgical, and nutrition-based care. Visit him at www.dcretina.com.

This section is the go-to guide for readers who have been diagnosed with a disease, have noticed that their vision just keeps getting weaker every time they visit their eye doctor, or who simply want to avoid developing glaucoma like Grandma.

Each category of nutrients has its own section, all related to the six major conditions we discussed in Part II of the book. I provide a general guide to how much of each nutrient to target and what foods will get you on your way to your goals.

This appendix contains a massive amount of scientific information and medical research, organized in summaries and charts correlating more than fifty nutrients and the eye conditions they help. It serves as both a recipe and a reference to readers, so you can take aim at a condition or disease with the foods you eat. Here are specifics for certain conditions:

MACULAR DEGENERATION

For those who want to protect against macular degeneration or who have macular degeneration and want to reduce the risk of progression, the core nutrients are essential: the bioflavonoids, the carotenoids, the antioxidants, and the essential lettered vitamins. Dont overdo any of the nutrients, particularly the lettered vitamins. Take care with vitamin B2 because of its photosensitivity risks. The metals must also be taken in balance. Additional nutrients to obtain include phytic acid, carnitine, and omega-3 oils.

RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA

For those who want to protect against progression of retinitis pigmentosa, the core nutrients are essential: the bioflavonoids, the carotenoids, the antioxidants, and the essential lettered vitamins. Dont overdo any of the nutrients, particularly the lettered vitamins. Take care with vitamin B2 because of its photosensitivity risks. The metals must also be taken in balance. Additional nutrients to obtain include coenzyme Q10, mint, curry, and omega-3 oils.

DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

For those who want to protect against diabetic retinopathy, the core nutrients are essential: the bioflavonoids, the carotenoids, the anti-oxidants, and the essential lettered vitamins. Dont overdo any of the nutrients, particularly the lettered vitamins and the proteins. The metals must also be taken in balance, with limits on chromium and vanadium. Additional nutrients to obtain include agaricus, mint, and curry.

GLAUCOMA

For those who want to protect against development of glaucoma or who have glaucoma and want to reduce the risk of progression, the core nutrients are essential: the bioflavonoids, the carotenoids, the antioxidants, and the essential lettered vitamins. Dont overdo any of the nutrients, particularly the lettered vitamins. The metals must also be taken in balance, with care to avoid excess selenium. Additional nutrients to obtain include coenzyme Q10, choline, mint, proline, and lysine.

CATARACTS

For those who want to protect against development of cataracts or who have cataracts and want to reduce the risk of progression, the core nutrients are essential: the bioflavonoids, the carotenoids, the antioxidants, and the essential lettered vitamins. Dont overdo any of the nutrients, particularly the lettered vitamins. Take care with vitamin B2 because of its photosensitivity risks. The metals must also be taken in balance. Overall, of all the nutrients, the lettered nutrients are particularly important.

DRY EYE

For those who want to protect against and treat dry eye, the core nutrients are essential: the bioflavonoids, the carotenoids, the anti-oxidants, and the essential lettered vitamins. Dont overdo any of the nutrients, particularly the lettered vitamins, but make sure to get sufficient supply of vitamin A and vitamin C. The metals must also be taken in balance. Additional nutrients to include are the omega-3 and omega-6 oils, which must be appropriately balanced.

The following charts include the core nutrients that arein generalhelpful to all: bioflavonoids, carotenoids, unique plant nutrients, the super-antioxidants, metals and a metalloid, the lettered vitamins, amino acids, the special power nutrients, and fish oils. Values in parentheses are commonly reported average amounts found in a 4-ounce serving size, except for coffee, tea, and milk, which are for an 8-ounce cup.

Important Note: The recommended daily doses listed in the following tables are general, approximated guidelines based on reviews of multiple sources and are not intended as medical advice. Doses will vary from person to person depending on health status and health condition. Consult your doctor for guidelines and doses that are appropriate for you.

BIOFLAVONOIDS

This group contains thousands of nutrients found in plants that often act as powerful antioxidants. There are no established clear guidelines on how much to take because they are simply non-essential, and in fact the human body absorbs little of the bioflavonoids we eat. Some of the best sources are:

DiindolylmethaneDIM

This bioflavonoid controls inflammation. Some of the best sources are:

Quercetin

This bioflavonoid is a powerful antioxidant and controls inflammation. Some of the best sources are:

Resveratrol

This bioflavonoid has strong antioxidant and anti-cancer activity. Its sources are limited, particularly to the skin of the muscadine grape.

Troxerutin

This bioflavonoid improves circulation. Some of the best sources are:

CAROTENOIDS

The carotenoids are organic plant pigments that serve antioxidant and other roles.

Astaxanthin

This sea carotenoid is a powerful antioxidant. Some of the best sources are:

Beta-Carotene

This antioxidant carotenoid is the orange carotenoid, found in orange-colored vegetables and fruits, as well as some green- and red-colored vegetables and fruits in which the green or red color overpowers the orange pigment hidden inside. A daily consumption of 2 mg or less is often sufficient, but most people should aim to get 10 to 15 mg per day. While it is safe to go up to as much as 300 mg per day, you probably dont want or need to exceed 30 mg per day. However, in smokers, 20 mg per day or more may be unsafe because it has been found to increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers. Some of the best sources are: