Nutrition for Macular Degeneration

Nutrition To Prevent AMD & Support Eye Health 

To prevent and treat AMD (age related macular degeneration), Dr. Knobbe encourages his patients, and we full-heartedly agree, to ditch the modern, inflammatory oils in their diets and return to traditional, anti-inflammatory, nutrient-rich fats instead. 

These are the fats that our great-grandparents used every day: organic, grass-fed animal fats like butter, lard and tallow (beef fat), pastured eggs, full-fat dairy, and wild-caught fish, along with fats contained in pastured meats and organs (liver, heart, kidneys).  

Not only are the fatty acids in these foods whole and intact, they are also wonderful sources of vital fat-soluble nutrients, like vitamin A, vitamin D, and vitamin K2, all of which are crucial for retina development in babies and lifelong eye health. 

Dr. Knobbe also gives special mention to the omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA. The highest concentration of DHA in the retina is found in the same photoreceptors (rods/cones) mentioned above.  

Our best food sources of omega-3 fatty acids and DHA are fatty fish like salmon and sardines, algae, pastured eggs, and cod-liver oil.  Regular consumption of fatty fish can help reduce the risk of developing age related macular degeneration.

If you don't eat a diet rich in fatty fish or eggs, supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids or DHA can also be a smart prevention plan for age related eye diseases like amd. 

Best Foods To Include For Macular Degeneration 

First and foremost, I'd recommend keeping your blood sugar stable throughout the day. This will help you protect all those vessels and tissues of your eyes and slow the progression of amd.  

You can do this by eating a balance of protein, healthy fats and fruit/veggie carbs at every meal and snack.  

Then when you are looking for healthy fats to incorporate, we like to employ the “good/better/best” spectrum, where you upgrade your products to the level you can.   

For example, avocado oil, coconut oil, and olive oil are your best choices. However, an organic, expeller-pressed, or cold-pressed vegetable oil (like soybean, canola, corn, etc.) is definitely a better choice than a conventional vegetable oil.  

I'm cautious about using any kind of soybean oil with clients because of it's inflammatory nature and thankfully there are a lot more readily available naturally fatty foods and healthy oils to choose from nowadays.   

These healthy fats are great options for supporting the tissues and fatty acids in the eye:  

• Organic, grass-fed butter, lard, or tallow

• Pastured eggs, especially the yolks. Eggs are a great source of lutein and zeaxanthin, which can help control macular degeneration.

• Full-fat dairy, if tolerated

Wild-caught fish, particularly fatty fish (rich in omega-3 fatty acids and DHA): 

•  Salmon 

• Mackerel 

• Anchovies 

• Sardines 

• Herring  

• Pastured meats and organs (liver, heart, kidneys) 

Healthy cooking oils: 

• Olive oil (for low heat temps or salad dressings) 

• Avocado oil 

• Coconut oil  

• Ghee (clarified butter good in high heat temps) 

Best Fruits and Vegetables for Eye Health

Eating a diet rich in various colorful, whole fruits and vegetables is one of the most effective ways to protect your eye health. These certain foods are rich in antioxidants that reduce inflammation, strengthen retinal blood vessels, and protect against age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Here are some of the best fruits and vegetables to include regularly:

• Dark Leafy greens (spinach, kale, collard greens, turnip greens, mustard greens, Brussels sprouts) are high rich in lutein and zeaxanthin.

• Orange and yellow vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash) — packed with beta carotene and vitamin A precursors.

• Cruciferous and green veggies (broccoli, bell peppers) — high in vitamin C and antioxidants, important for vision health.

• Citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruit, lemons, kiwi) — loaded with vitamin C.

• Berries (blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries) — rich in anthocyanins and antioxidants.

• Orange fruits (mango, cantaloupe, peaches) — provide carotenoids and beta carotene.

Dietary supplements to consider for macular degeneration:

While there is no cure for macular degeneration, a diet rich in healthy fats and certain nutrients can decrease your risk factors or even slow the progression of AMD. Choosing anti-inflammatory foods, especially healthy fats, will give you the nutrients you need to take good care of, not only your eyes, but your overall health! 

For extra support of we suggest the following dietary supplements:

• Vitamin C

• Vitamin E

• Zinc

• Lutein and Zeaxanthin (found in Ortho Molecular 4Sight)

• DHA (omega 3 fatty acids)

Our registered and licensed dietitians and nutritionists can work with you and your ophthalmologist to come up with a meal plan and key nutritional supplements to help support your eye health and reduce risk factors for age related macular degeneration.  

For more information on nutrition for eye health, check out these resources:  

LISTEN: Client Story - Mike & Marcia Stabilize Macular Degeneration. Leah Kleinschrodt sits down with Mike and Marcia, two of our clients who share how small nutrition changes made a big impact on their lives. Hear about how they learned to stabilize their macular degeneration disease progression with real food, their shared stories of cochlear implants, and how they learned the value of working together toward their health goals.

LISTEN: Managing Dry Eyes – Ask A Nutritionist podcast- Dry eye syndrome is a very common eye condition caused by insufficient tear production, which itself can be caused by many different things. Tune in to this episode with Britni to find out what you can do to support eye health with your own natural tears. 

LISTEN: Food Tips For Better Eye Health - Join two nutritionists as they discuss eye health with Dr. Chris Knobbe. They cover which foods to eat and which foods to avoid as well as nutritional supplements that can contribute to better eye health. 

Resources 

1. Knobbe, CA. Ancestral Dietary Strategy to Prevent and Treat Macular Degeneration. Springville, UT: Vervante Corporation; 2016.