| Macular degeneration, also known as age related | | | | AMD. Two of the most comprehensive of these |
| macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease of the | | | | are the Age Related Eye Disease Study and the |
| macula of the eye that is found predominantly in | | | | Blue Mountains Eye Study both of which |
| elderly people and is the leading cause of central | | | | monitored the diets and examined the eyes of |
| vision loss in the USA for those over the age of | | | | over 3500 participants for at least eight years. |
| 50 years. | | | | These two studies confirmed earlier research that |
| The macula is the central area of the retina of | | | | showed how antioxidants can slow the |
| the eye that, if diseased or damaged, results in | | | | progression of AMD by up to 35%! |
| the inability to read or see fine detail. There are | | | | However there were a few important findings |
| two main types of advanced AMD - dry and wet. | | | | that should be noted. |
| The former makes up over 90% of cases and, | | | | Although these and other studies have provided |
| the less common wet form makes up the | | | | conclusive evidence that a diet high in antioxidants |
| remaining 10%. | | | | can protect against the development of macular |
| The cause of dry macular degeneration is the | | | | degeneration, the Blue Mountains Eye Study found |
| formation of deposits called drusen on the macula. | | | | that an intake of the antioxidant, ß-carotene |
| Drusen are fairly common in individuals over 50 | | | | in high doses actually increased the risk of |
| years of age and do not cause any visual | | | | developing AMD. High doses of ß-carotene |
| impairment when found in small numbers. | | | | have also been shown to increase the risk of |
| However, when they become larger and more | | | | cancer in smokers. |
| extensive they start to adversely affect vision. | | | | Another study conducted by the Massachusetts |
| Drusen are yellowish accretions of lipoproteins in | | | | Eye and Ear Infirmary showed that those who |
| the lining of the retina. The cause of AMD and the | | | | ate significant quantities of foods that were rich in |
| reasons that drusen form is not entirely clear but | | | | antioxidants were protected against both wet and |
| there is a relationship with their formation and | | | | dry forms of AMD; even though they did not |
| those of cholesterol deposits in arteries and other | | | | take antioxidant vitamin supplements. |
| parts of the body. | | | | Taken together these studies make two |
| There are a number of important risk factors for | | | | important points. The first is that we need a |
| AMD: | | | | regular, intake of safe, effective antioxidants to |
| - Oxidative stress: This state is associated with | | | | help prevent the onset and/or progression of |
| free radical overload and antioxidant deficiency | | | | AMD. Secondly, that it is better to take the |
| that occurs more frequently with aging. There is | | | | antioxidants in their natural form rather than high |
| convincing evidence that oxidative stress is the | | | | doses of individual antioxidants (like |
| underlying cause of AMD as oxidative stress | | | | ß-carotene) that may have harmful side |
| increases with age and is associated with several | | | | effects. |
| diseases like diabetes, obesity and others. | | | | In this respect it is worth noting that spices have |
| - Inflammation: An inflammatory process is also | | | | the highest antioxidant activity of all food groups |
| involved in the formation of drusen and both the | | | | (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2006). They |
| dry and wet types of AMD. | | | | are the best source of the wide variety of |
| - Age: The older you are the greater your risk of | | | | antioxidant compounds that are necessary to help |
| developing AMD. | | | | counter the effects of aging and age-related |
| - Smoking: Smokers have a higher incidence of | | | | diseases like AMD that are associated with free |
| AMD. | | | | radical damage and oxidative stress. Spices also |
| - Genetic predisposition: Certain genes have been | | | | provide a number of natural anti-inflammatory |
| identified that place some people at increased risk | | | | compounds that help to control the inflammatory |
| for AMD. | | | | processes that underlie degenerative conditions |
| - Obesity: This is associated with oxidative stress | | | | like AMD. |
| and increased risk for AMD. | | | | Rather than waiting until we develop AMD or any |
| - High blood pressure and high cholesterol levels: | | | | of the other degenerative diseases associated |
| Individuals with hypertension and abnormal blood | | | | with aging, we should increase out consumption of |
| lipid levels have an increased risk for AMD. | | | | spices to ensure that we provide ourselves with |
| Prevention and treatment of AMD with | | | | the safest, most effective antioxidant protection. |
| antioxidants | | | | The most reliable way to ensure an adequate |
| Several very large studies have shown | | | | intake of the right spices is to take a well |
| conclusively that those individuals who eat a diet | | | | balanced spice supplement. |
| rich in antioxidants have a lower risk of developing | | | | |