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May 08 2008
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Can Spinach Save Your Eyesight?

Macular degeneration is the most common cause of vision loss, and affects one in four people as they age. Can spinach protect you?


Dr. Mercola Dr. Mercola's Comments:
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in people over the age of 60. While it doesn’t always cause total blindness, macular degeneration slowly affects your central vision, the part that is crucial for recognizing faces and doing detailed work.

At first, you may simply have blurred vision or a need for more light when you’re reading. Then, straight lines may begin to appear crooked, and dark or empty spaces may begin to block your central vision, similar to a blindspot when you’re driving.

How Does Macular Degeneration Begin?

The macula is a small area just two millimeters wide, located in the back of your eye, in the middle portion of your retina. Your macula, which is made up of light-sensitive cells called cones and rods, is essential for central vision.
 

eyeball


For reasons scientists have yet to pinpoint, parts of your retina and macula become diseased. As macular degeneration progresses, tiny, fragile blood vessels that leak blood and fluid begin to develop in your retina, causing further damage.

However, there is pigment in your macula that seems to act as a blue-light filter to protect your macular region against oxidation by light. In addition, this macular pigment can scavenge free radicals.

Lutein and zeaxanthin, two yellow-hued antioxidants found in leafy greens like spinach and kale, are the predominant pigments in this area.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin: Two Powerhouse Antioxidants for Your Eyes

Eating foods rich in lutein and zeaxanthin can lower your risk of macular degeneration, so if you value your eyesight, listen up.

To get the benefits of these antioxidants, some researchers believe you need to eat about 6 mg a day. But the amount of lutein and zeaxanthin needed to treat macular degeneration rises to about 11-12 mg per day.

Yet, most people are not getting nearly this much. Federal surveys have found that the average American consumes only about 2 mg of lutein daily.

What does the science say about lutein and zeaxanthin?
  • A study in the Archives of Ophthalmology found participants who ate the most foods containing lutein and zeaxanthin had a 35 percent lower risk of developing AMD than those who ate the least.
And as the video above showed so clearly, eating lutein-rich spinach every day for six months was enough to improve the vision of people already suffering from AMD. So this is truly powerful information.

What is Your Best Source of Lutein and Zeaxanthin?

Lutein is found in high amounts in:
  • Kale and spinach
  • Turnip and collard greens
  • Romaine lettuce
  • Broccoli
  • Zucchini
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Peas
These are all great sources, however, your best source of these antioxidants is actually not on that list.

Egg Yolks are One of the Best Foods for Your Eyes

There is about 0.25 mg of lutein in each egg yolk -- in a highly absorbable nearly ideal form, especially if you don't cook it. Egg yolks also have zeaxanthin in an equal amount.

Quite simply, the lutein in egg yolks is superior because it is more easily absorbed by your body. A study in the Journal of Nutrition even proved this.

The researchers gave 10 volunteers different sources of lutein (spinach, eggs or one of two types of lutein supplements, each of which provided 6 mg of lutein per day), and the eggs were the best. Those who ate eggs as their lutein source had blood levels of lutein that were about three times higher than that of those who ate other lutein sources.

How to Get the Most Lutein and Zeaxanthin in Your Diet

No matter what source you choose, the absolute key to making sure you receive the benefits of the nutrients in these foods is to consume them RAW. Once you heat spinach or eggs, the lutein and zeaxanthin become damaged -- and they will not perform as well in preventing degeneration of your macula.

Additionally, the accessory micronutrients in the foods that enhance their action will also be damaged. So if you want to make sure your eyes stay healthy, add a few raw egg yolks and some raw leafy greens, according to your nutritional type, to your daily diet.

Finally, keep in mind that lutein is an oil-soluble nutrient. So in order for your body to absorb it, you’ll need to add some fat, like olive oil, butter or coconut oil, to your leafy greens.

For even more tips on protecting your eyesight as you age, be sure to read through the Related Articles below.

Related Articles:

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Community Comments ( 30 )
Comment on this Article
  
  
Dekalb
[ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on April 17, 2008 ]
11 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
I don't know, it didn't work for Popeye, he had a nasty squint. Although, spinach is great, as they said towards the end of the clip eggs are good too, because they provide the lutein in a lipid form, which is easier for the body to absorb. Higher bioavailability provides greater biological benefit at a lower intake of lutein. (good news for those of us averse to spinach).
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
CSR
[ Joined on 08/07 ]  [ Posted on April 18, 2008]
-1 Points        
   
Apprentice User
  Mercola
Well, Popeye also always had the pipe sticking out of his mouth, and we know that smoking increases the changes of having this problem.  Even with all the health benefits of spinach, I believe that tobacco with its nicotine is a far stronger plant! ;-)
Mercola
  
BeeGirl
[ Joined on 04/08 ]  [ Posted on April 18, 2008]
5 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
Has anyone tried smoking spinach?
Mercola
  
seg
[ Joined on 11/06 ]  [ Posted on April 21, 2008]
1 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
Popeye's strength came from his faourite gal  OLIVE OIL...

So if you like Spinach (i believe protein type do well) make it a part of your repertoire; you can add some cooked tomatoes, Olive oil and you'd be ready to sail the seven seas...And amongst other things help to preserve your eyes....
  
  
dbroadwa
[ Joined on 09/06 ] [ Posted on May 8, 2008 ]
5 Points        
   
 
Novice User

I had a case of macular degeneration 7 years ago.  For about three months I couldn't make out any features on a person's face from across a room with my right eye.  My eye doc told me there was no cure.  I contacted a person who worked at a holistic health college and she told me it sounded like I was dangerously deficient in zinc and selenium.  She also sent me a chinese herbal formula called Celosia 10, some died red berries and told me to pick up bilberry supplement.  I started taking these five supplements and in a week to ten days my eyesight was back to normal.  On the next visit to the eye doc he was reading my file as he came in and asked if there were any changes since my last visit.  I said 'as a matter of fact, yes'.  He wrote down all the supplements I'd taken and I later printed out all the info off the containers and dropped it off at his office.  He called to tell me that I was taking too much zinc and it could do liver damage, but I'd stopped taking it by then.  Three times since, I've started to get the symptoms back and took at least some of these things with the same results.  There are two types of MD, and I think only one responds to this approach.  

 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
drlarryvon
[ Joined on 05/08 ]  [ Posted on May 13, 2008]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

how much zinc did you take per day in milligrams, and in what form, i.e.,

zinc gluconate, zinc sulphate, chelated etc?

also, how much selenium per day in micrograms were you taking?

what were the dried red berries?

  
  
Big Blue
[ Joined on 11/06 ] [ Posted on May 8, 2008 ]
3 Points        
   
 
Apprentice User

Popeye's right eye is MSSING.  It's not a squint.  I think he ate all that spinach to keep his remaining left eye in good working order.

 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
NanaHannah
[ Joined on 07/07 ]  [ Posted on May 8, 2008]
-8 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola

All of you that have submitted an opinion on that article about eyes and spinach are a bunch of clowns. Dr. Mecola does a lot of checking out things so that we will know the truth about things. You should be appreciative that someone like him cares enough to research drugs and foods and vitamins, etc. for us. Thank you Dr. Mecola.

Mercola
  
Islander
[ Joined on 03/07 ]  [ Posted on May 8, 2008]
5 Points        
   
Moderator User
  Mercola

Aww, lighten up, Nana. Everybody got the message, but there's nothing wrong with having a little fun with it on the side. We all appreciate what Dr. Mercola does or we wouldn't be here, leaving our comments!

  
  
chubby
[ Joined on 02/07 ] [ Posted on May 8, 2008 ]
2 Points        
   
 
Novice User

HOW TO EAT  RAW EGGS ?  ---- simple --- in a smoothie --- perhaps with some KEFIR  --- and some fresh fruit tossed in for flavor ----- DELICIOUS !             ---- but  take the time and effort tro find good quality local RANGE FREE EGGS  --- they are worth the effort ----         chubby

 [ Reply ]
  
  
skip smyth
[ Joined on 01/08 ] [ Posted on May 9, 2008 ]
1 Points        
   
 
Novice User

Spinach, schminach. Want to know 'Clark Kent's" diet.

 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Hathorhetep
[ Joined on 10/06 ]  [ Posted on May 10, 2008]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

Clark Kent's primary nutrient is sunshine.  his powers are activated by exposure to our 'yellow' sun.

Clark eats and drinks, but he can survive long periods of time without food or beverage - he is a Superman, and his requirements are different than ours, except he needs sunshine!  

  
  
bpfsa
[ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on May 8, 2008 ]
1 Points        
   
 
Novice User

Spinach truly is a wonderful vegetable, full of healthy properties. There's a website at

         http://www.spinachwords.com

that shows how spinach is a multi-vitamin, multi-mineral, multi-amino, multi-phytonutrient powerhouse.

There's alot more to spinach than just lutein and zexanthin and it is beneficial for much more than just your vision. It is great for your heart, for cancer prevention, for maternal & fetal health & development, it boosts your natural SPF levels in your skin, it wards of memory loss, dementia and other signs of ageing, and it is good for strong bones, too.

Popeye was right - except maybe about eating a highly processed, canned product instead of fresh spinach.

 [ Reply ]
  
  
MarkEllins
[ Joined on 05/08 ] [ Posted on May 8, 2008 ]
1 Points        
   
 
Novice User

Caucasian billberry is very effective on improving visual acuity and night vision, it was used by British fighter and bomber pilots in WWII for that purpose and has centuries of historic use.

I recommend a supplement that has the extracted active ingredients of caucasian billberry and most people get great results in a short period of time (2 to 8 weeks).

Part of the benefit comes from the powerful functional anti-oxidants and more from the many ways it promotes the entire health of the eye including the micro blood vessels in the retina.

As with many herbals, it is difficult, if not impossible, to get enough of the active ingredients to do the job from extracts of the herbs or teas. Properly extracted active ingredients yield the full power of the plant's chemicals and when they are extracted as a full spectrum active ingredient they can yield excellent results.

 [ Reply ]
  
  
dbroadwa
[ Joined on 09/06 ] [ Posted on May 8, 2008 ]
1 Points        
   
 
Novice User

Sorry, that should have read 'dried red berries'.  I'm non violent, really.  

 [ Reply ]
  
  
Debb66mom26
[ Joined on 09/07 ] [ Posted on May 8, 2008 ]
1 Points        
   
 
Novice User

Take it easy NanaHannah.  Nobody was picking on Dr. Mercola.  They wouldn't be reading the newsletter and commenting if they didn't listen to his advice.  Most people who read this site  are probably already eating most of the foods on the list, but it is nice to be reassured that all the effort it takes to eat a healthy diet does pay off.  These people aren't a "bunch of clowns"  -they are just people who are taking Dr. Mercola's advice.  Read back through past newsletters and you'll see that Dr. Mercola recommends laughter as one of the best "drugs" out there.  

 [ Reply ]
  
  
"David"
[ Joined on 08/06 ] [ Posted on May 8, 2008 ]
1 Points        
   
 
Savvy User

Yet again, more proof, as if it were needed, to the doctors..and everyone else...who thinks that diet is 'not that important' in preventing disease.What do many people think that good food is for...just 'filling a gap'?!!

If everybody only ate real, fresh, natural foods, we wouldn't have many of the health problems currently ripping through the population.

                                                    ... It isn't rocket science!....wakey wakey!!

It constantly amazes me how so many people think that they can stay well, be fit and perform optimally ...on man-made junk devoid of the nutrients required.

It certainly is another exmple of how the 'person in a gorrilla suit ' can take our eye off the wider picture.

....Watch out for 'the gorrilla'....

 [ Reply ]
  
  
triciamc
[ Joined on 01/08 ] [ Posted on April 18, 2008 ]
1 Points        
   
 
Apprentice User
I'd imagine all the thumpings from Olive  didn't help popeye's squint either.
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Senor Gato
[ Joined on 03/08 ]  [ Posted on April 18, 2008]
2 Points