Question: what should I be eating or not eating to hopefully slow the progression of AMD?
Answer: Research showed that those who followed a Mediterranean diet had a 41% reduced rate of development and progression to late AMD. You can read about the research by going to ‘Mediterranean Diet and Incidence of Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The EYE-RISK Consortium.’
Does that apply to those who already have AMD?
This is from the AAO (American Academy of Ophthalmology) ‘New Study Confirms Mediterranean Diet Prevents a Leading Cause of Blindness’:
“SAN FRANCISCO – September 30, 2018 – Evidence is mounting that a poor diet plays an important role in the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness in the United States. A large collaboration of researchers from the European Union investigating the connection between genes and lifestyle on the development of AMD has found that people who adhered to a Mediterranean diet cut their risk of late-stage AMD by 41 percent. This research expands on previous studies and suggests that such a diet is beneficial for everyone, whether you already have the disease or are at risk of developing it. “
The Mediterranean way of eating has also been shown to be beneficial for our hearts and our brains.
Is eating this way the ONLY thing I need to do to slow my progression?
When we talk about diet, we are not trying to say that it’s the ‘magic wand’ to managing AMD. It’s one factor in a list of other lifestyle factors that are important.
Don’t beat yourself up if your diet hasn’t been healthy or healthy enough – diet alone did NOT cause your AMD! The good news is that it’s never too late to make changes. Just be patient, it takes the body time to adjust. You’ll find more information about the many risk factors for the development and progression of AMD in ‘Did I do something? Will I get it if Dad had it? What can I do to slow it down?
What specifically is the Mediterranean Diet for AMD?
One thing we need to know is what EXACTLY is a Mediterranean diet for managing AMD? Is it the Mediterranean way of eating with lots of olive oil and pasta? Not exactly.
There are 2 basic components: 1) foods to include and 2) foods to avoid. The article ‘Eating for Your Eyes: Mediterranean Diet & Macular Degeneration’ is the best one I’ve found. Not only does it tell us what to include and what to avoid, it tells us how much we should be eating in each category. [This site has disappeared, but luckily I copied it! I am trying to track down the optometrist who created on the site optomeyeslife].
The articles says, “Are you interested in trying the Mediterranean diet? These tips will help you get started.”
- Eat more fruits and vegetables. Aim for at least 6 to 7 servings each day (2.5 cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruit daily).
- Opt for whole grains. Aim for 5 to 6 servings each day. Switch to whole-grain bread, cereal and pasta. Whole grains include couscous, bulgur wheat, and brown or wild rice.
- Use healthy fats. Use olive oil instead of butter or margarine. Avoid peanut, safflower, corn, and soybean oils.
- Spice it up. Use garlic, herbs, and spices to season your meals and boost flavor.
- Eat seafood weekly. Aim for one to two servings per week.
- Limit red meat and poultry to one serving or less per week. If you eat meat, choose lean cuts and keep portions small.
- Eat dairy in moderation. Eat low-fat Greek or plain yogurt and small amounts of a variety of cheeses.