Fruits help prevent macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration is damage to or breakdown of the central part of the retina, called the macula, which allows patient to see details clearly. There are two types of macular degeneration: dry macular generation and wet macular degeneration.

Dry or atrophic macular degeneration is more common and is a chronic health condition that causes vision loss owing to the deterioration of the light sensitive cells of the macula, located in the center of the layer tissue lining the back wall of the eye bal called retina.

Wet macular degeneration is more advance an damaging form of ye disease cause by the abnormal growth of blood vessels.

Evidence suggests that certain nutrients help prevent macular degeneration. Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, vitamin E, β-carotene, and zinc may help prevent macular degeneration as may a diet low in foods with a high glycemic index.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are antioxidants that are found naturally in the macula and need to be replenished regularly. High concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin are found in oranges, papayas, tangerine, peaches, tomatoes, pumpkins and carrots.

Lycopene is found in high concentrations in tomatoes found to slowdown the existing cancers and also to prevent macular degeneration.
Fruits help prevent macular degeneration

Lutein and Zeaxanthin in fruit and vegetable

Lutein and zeaxanthin carotenoids are less common than their better-known relative, B-carotene, but they appear to offer more and greater benefits to the body. Lutein and zeaxanthin have been identified as the xanthophylls that constitute the macular pigment of the human retina.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in the lens and are thought to protect cells in the eye against oxidative damage and consequently present formation of cataracts.

Lutein and zeaxanthin may protect the cardiovascular system and maintain normal cell differentiation in the tissues of the breast, cervix, colon and skin.

Lutein is a common carotenoid found in most fruit and vegetables, while zeaxanthin in the (R,R)-isomer form is present only in minute quantities in most fruits and vegetables.

Among commonly consumed vegetables and fruits, dark green leafy vegetables are the most important sources of lutein.

Dietary sources of zeaxanthin are limited to greens, certain yellow/orange fruit and vegetables such as corn, nectarine, oranges, papaya, persimmon and squash. Red peppers are good sources of zeaxanthin although it represents less than 15% of total carotenoid content.

Sea buckthorn, a berry fruit native to Asia also contains high amount of zeaxanthin representing 82 to 86% of the total of main carotenoid in some cultivars of this berry.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin in fruit and vegetable