| Deteriorating eyesight and eye disease will strike | | | | Eggs (organic non-bleached shell preferred) |
| an estimated 38 million baby boomers over the | | | | Unroasted (Raw) Almonds |
| next two decades. Many will become functionally | | | | Wheat Germ |
| blind, unable to drive, and dependent on others to | | | | Chicken (free-range is best) |
| live. | | | | Turkey (free-range is best) |
| Why is this threat so substantial? | | | | Unroasted (Raw) Brazil Nuts |
| Consider the fact that our eyes get almost NO | | | | Cold water fish such as salmon, cod, or |
| protection from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. | | | | haddock |
| This bombardment of UV rays leads to | | | | Also, remember to eat a diet low in fat. Eat fish |
| free-radical damage responsible for the vast | | | | high in omega-3 fatty acids two to three times |
| majority of vision problems. Worse yet, the great | | | | per week and increase your intake of green, |
| majority of Americans live in or near a city, | | | | leafy vegetables. If possible, reduce or quit |
| where eyes are overexposed to pollution and | | | | smoking! |
| suffer from more free radical damage than any | | | | There is no need to rush at changing your habits. |
| other organ in your body. | | | | You have a better chance of sticking to them if |
| New research indicates the free-radical assault on | | | | you take things one at a time and make perhaps |
| your eyes may be mitigated by feeding your | | | | one change per week. An example would be if |
| body the right foods, taking natural | | | | you eat at KFC once a week, change from their |
| supplementation containing powerful | | | | original fried recipe to the new lower fat grilled |
| BIOAVAILABLE antioxidants, along with careful | | | | style. |
| dieting and exercise. | | | | Another example is to be sure to include |
| There is increasing speculation of the importance | | | | cold-water fish in your diet 2 to 3 times a week |
| of eating fresh fruits and vegetables, low glycemic | | | | for the eye-friendly Omega 3's. An easy way I |
| carbohydrates, and foods high in omega 3 as | | | | did that was at McDonalds. Their Fish fillet is billed |
| evidenced by macular degeneration specialist Dr. | | | | as cold-water cod so that worked for me. |
| Michael Samuel, author of "Macular Degeneration: | | | | Remember, NO FRIES and the small side salad |
| A Complete Guide for Patients and Their Families" | | | | with Italian Vinegrette dressing for the lowest fat |
| in which he states, "Early dry AMD (Age-related | | | | content. |
| macular degeneration) can be prevented, slowed | | | | Also, make it a priority to limit your snacks at |
| or even reversed with diet and lifestyle changes." | | | | work or play to perhaps, 4oz of raw almonds or |
| Suspicion of high-glycemic index foods in particular | | | | brazil nuts (or cheat a little with raw cashews!) |
| came into focus as a result of research | | | | and a piece of fruit or low fat yogurt along with a |
| conducted at the USDA Human Nutrition Research | | | | bottle of fresh juice or spring water. |
| Center on Aging (HNRCA) at Tufts University. It | | | | For the indulgent adventurers there are some |
| observed that foods that cause our blood sugar | | | | low-glycemic chocolates out there (the internet is |
| to spike which then results in an increase | | | | a good source) sweetened with xylitol or mannitol |
| secretion of insulin, may be harmful to our health | | | | (natural plant based products that taste sweet) |
| and to our vision. | | | | the advantage is they take much longer to |
| Foods to avoid include highly processed snack | | | | assimilate in the body without quick-spiking your |
| foods such as cakes, cookies, potato chips. Avoid | | | | blood sugar like HFCS (high-fructose corn syrup) |
| partially hydrogenated fats, especially coconut oils. | | | | or beet and cane sugars. |
| Also avoid the following: | | | | And don't forget the major importance of natural |
| Roasted and Salted nuts | | | | supplements so you get the required fruit and |
| Limit Red Meat to less than 3 times per | | | | veggie antioxidant levels that can mount an |
| month - and eat only lean cuts | | | | effective 'macular degeneration resistant' diet for |
| Fried chicken | | | | your body! |
| The following are Good Foods for the Eyes: | | | | |