BodySaver AMD - AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION

VisionSaver | Vitamins and Minerals for Eyes

WHAT IS AMD (AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION?)

Macular degeneration is a progressive eye condition that as many as 15 million Americans and countless millions around the world suffer from. The disease involves the macula of the eye, where our sharpest central vision occurs. It rarely results in complete blindness, but rather leaves the person with dim vision or black holes in the center with some peripheral vision.

AMD is the number one cause of vision loss and legal blindness in adults over 60. As the "baby boomers" age into their 60's, there could be a major increase of AMD. By taking some form of vitamin and supplement for their eyes (such as Vision Saver) may avoid this disease.

Age-related macular degeneration robs those affected of their sharp central vision and can dim contrast sensitivity and color perception. It destroys the clear, "straight ahead" central vision necessary for reading, driving, identifying faces, watching television, doing fine detailed work, safely navigating stairs and performing other daily tasks we take for granted. Peripheral vision may not be affected, and it is possible to see "out of the corner of your eye". The impact of developing AMD can be devastating to those who were independent and active prior to the onset of this cruel impairment. Their visual world gradually diminishes into a vague blur, making ordinary daily activities challenging.

There is no cure for AMD, but new treatments are available.

Current research leans towards understanding the mechanism of AMD and presenting opportunities for treatment. The role of nutrition, genetics, light exposure and other environmental issues are investigated

Risk Factors You Can't Control

Age - AMD signs are present in about 14% of people 55 - 64, 20% of age 65 - 75 year olds and up to 37% of people over age 75.
Gender - AMD is more common in women than in men. This may be partially explained by the fact that women live longer than men.
Race - AMD is more common in Caucasians than other races. This may be partially due to the pigment in the eye or eye color.
Eye Color - AMD is more common in people with blue eyes. This may be related to damage associated with exposure to ultraviolet light. Blue eyed people may have less protective pigment in their eyes.
Severe Hyperopia (Farsightedness) - Many people are farsighted and need glasses to see objects that are near. Severe hyperopia is not common and is related to a strong distortion of the shape of the eye. This may have an effect on the retina.
AMD in One Eye - If you already have AMD in one eye, your chance of developing it in the other eye is higher. Dry AMD in one eye may predispose you to wet AMD in the other eye.
Genetics - If others in your family have macular degeneration, you have a greater risk of developing it. The mechanisms of this are not well understood. Read on for a complete explanation.

Risk Factors You CAN Control

Smoking
High Blood Pressure
Exposure to Harmful Sunlight
Diet

High blood pressure and smoking are contributory factors.

If you smoke, this is the time to stop.

Watch your blood pressure and your diet.

Nutrition appears to play a role in the health of the macula.

In addition to supplements, there are common food sources for the vitamins, minerals and other substances necessary for good retinal health.

Protect your eyes from the damaging rays of the sun by using a hat or visor and sunglasses.

Your ophthalmologist or optometrist can diagnose if you have macular degeneration.

The first symptom of AMD is often a change in vision that may be subtle or dramatic like you notice that straight lines look wavy. Or there may be a sudden blurring or loss of central vision.

The National Eye Institute released the results of a study on vitamin supplementation and the eye In October 2001.

Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS)

Vitamin Supplements, AMD and Cataracts

On October 12, 2001, the National Eye Institute released results of AREDS (Age-Related Eye Disease Study) that looked at the effect of vitamin supplementation on AMD and cataracts. The project involved almost 5,000 individuals 55-80 years old divided into four groups according to their eye condition (no AMD, early AMD, and intermediate AMD, advanced AMD). Each group the participants were randomly selected to receive daily tablets of either zinc alone, antioxidants alone, a combination of zinc and antioxidants, or a placebo (so-called sugar pill). About 90% of the participants remained in the study for five years.

The results showed people at high risk of developing advanced stages of AMD, use of the combination of antioxidants and zinc supplements reduced that risk by 25%.

The vitamins also did not appear to have an effect on the development of cataracts.

The Supplement
the combined antioxidant/zinc supplement used in the study contained:

Vitamin C - 500 milligrams
Vitamin E – 400 IU
Beta-Carotene – 15 milligrams
Zinc (as zinc oxide) – 80 milligrams
Copper (as cupric oxide) – 2 milligrams

As with any supplementation, you should talk to your doctor before embarking on any program especially if you have other medical conditions or if you are taking other medications.

Lutein was not recognized as a critical antioxidant for the eyes at the time of the study and was not used. Recent studies however show that Lutein may be an essential part of healthy vision.

Your diet should include at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day to provide a balance of nutrients and antioxidants. Taking a vitamin supplement does not mean you shouldn't eat properly as well!

Dietary supplements are the first effective treatment to slow the progression of the AMD disease. The supplements are not a cure for AMD and will not restore vision already lost from the disease. However, they may assist in helping people at high risk from developing AMD and keeping their vision.

Bausch & Lomb provided the vitamins for the study, is marketing a new eye formula based on these results. Other vitamins are now on the Market, such as VisionSaver produced by Bodysaver, Inc.