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James McNabb, M.D., C.N.

Nutrition for Macular Degeneration, Part 2

Preventative Ophthalmology is a topic that wasn’t recognized 15 years ago. Now patients are coming in asking about how to prevent macular degeneration. I believe there are two ways to do this: 1. Protect eyes from strong sun light with hats and sunglasses; and 2. Take vitamins.

Vitamins and the Eye

We have known for more than a half century that the retina of the eye contains a number of vitamins and cofactors in very large concentrations, more than any other tissue in the body. These are vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, selenium, and glutathione. For decades we looked at this and wondered why God put them in the retina in such concentration. Today, these are all considered anti-oxidant vitamins and cofactors. The current concept is that these act in a similar way to circuit breakers in our house wiring, to keep the retina from damage from strong sun light. Within the last year a national study from the National Institutes of Health showed that a small sample of anti-oxidants (vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and beta carotene) would reduce the incidence of macular degeneration by 40 %. Beta-carotene is not known to be present in the eye. Lutein is present in the eye. It occurs in high concentrations in the macula. In fact, the proper name of the macula is the Macula Lutea, named after this nutrient. However lutein was not commercially available when this study was started. The results might have been considerably better had lutein been substituted for beta-carotene.

Recommendations

I have different recommendations depending on whether we are preventing or treating macular degeneration. My first recommendation to prevent macular degeneration is to take a high quality multi-vitamin daily such as the Perfect Multi. I also recommend the other vitamins discussed in Vitamins 101. I recommend 6 mg Lutein daily as a preventative. This amount is included in the Perfect Multi. Omega 3 oils are especially important in that studies show that when omega 3 intake rises, the incidence of macular degeneration declines. My recommendation is 1-tablespoon flax seed oil daily. I also recommend 1 teaspoon Cod Liver Oil daily.  Incidentally, Omega-6 oil intake (safflower, sunflower, and corn oil) should be reduced, as it is positively associated with macular degeneration.

Once macular degeneration is diagnosed and is already reducing visual acuity, a more vigorous vitamin program is suggested. For therapeutic purposes I increase the lutein recommendation to 30 mg daily.

Taurine is the most common amino acid in the retina. We know that taurine acts in most cells to stabilize electrical activity and to regulate osmolar activity. Exactly what it is doing in the retina is unknown. However, I recommend 1 gm taurine twice daily. I also recommend alpha lipoic acid, 300 mg daily. This nutrient is a powerful anti-oxidant. I also recommend 500 mg of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), a sulfur containing amino acid that the body uses to make glutathione. Glutathione plays a pivotal role in reducing free radicals and oxidative stress in cells. Glutathione is a protein, and, as such, is inactivated when taken by mouth. It can be given intravenously. It is already being given IV for Parkinson’s disease and other neurological diseases with some success.

Macular Degeneration Study Participation

I am beginning a clinical study treating macular degeneration patients with IV glutathione.  This study will include three times a week treatments for five weeks. If you are interested in entering this study, please visit with us about details. I am hopeful that this will be a helpful treatment, as the lack of effective treatment has disappointed patients and ophthalmologists alike. As with many other conditions in medicine, prevention seems to the best option for macular degeneration.

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