Preventing Macular Degeneration

How Blueberries Can Help You Fight Macular Degeneration

Blueberries can prevent and help to slow the development of macular degeneration, which is (for the majority of those who get it) an age related disease affecting the central field of vision.

The macula is an area in the centre of the retina that contains specialised cells responsible for seeing colour and fine detail.

When the macula becomes diseased as a result of oxidative damage from free radicals, these fine details can start to appear blurred or wavy, and colours may dim or fade to black and white in the central field of vision. This oxidative damage takes the form of arteriosclerosis, a hardening of the arteries and capilleries in the retina.

There are two kinds of macular degeneration: wet and dry. Dry is the more common (80-90 percent of cases), wet is rarer and more serious; it can progress more quickly than the dry kind (which is still serious but milder and slower to develop).

The Bad News:

This is a disease of older people: rare in those under 50. After 65, you have a 1 in 4 chance of getting it, 1 in 3 after age 75. Women are also more susceptible to the disease, and Caucasians more prone than any other ethnic group.

The Good News: It's Blueberries to the Rescue

It's the antioxidant anthocyanins (free radical fighters) in blueberries that come to bat for us yet again; they strengthen blood vessels at the back of the eye, slowing progression of the disease.

A diet with a high intake of antioxidants, carotenoids (veggies like carrots and orange bell peppers) and vitamin C seems to lower the risk. Blueberries as well as being a good source of vitamin C, are THE primo source for natural antioxidants.