Dr. Michael Lange Optometrist and certified nutrition specialist has been involved in nutrition for the macular degenerative patient for over 20 years.

ingredients for the perfect meal for macular degeneration

It is amazing how we can alter ones future through dietary and lifestyle changes.  I have been working with patients that have macular degeneration for quite some time and I have seen what works and what doesn’t work. First and foremost these patients must be a non smoker and of ideal body weight!  If they are overweight then the main thing to work on is their weight loss.  Once the ideal body weight has been reached then consuming the proper food is crucial. I am going to discuss the perfect meal for macular degeneration patients.   Purchase some wild Alaskan salmon and prepare it in a stainless steel or cast iron pan using organic extra virgin coconut oil. Make sure you eat the skin since it is high in a valuable carotenoid called meso zeaxanthin.   Sautee some organic spinach , kale, orange and red bell peppers along with the salmon at the last five minutes of cooking. Place a poached organic free range egg on top of the salmon. Sprinkle generous amounts of turmeric / curcummin on the meal.  Consume a small bowl of blueberries and goji berries with the meal. Drink some organic long gin dragon well green tea with the meal. After the meal have one small piece of dark chocolate and a small glass of red wine. The red wine should be a Bio dynamic wine using organic grapes preferrable a Pinot Noir from Oregon region.  The rational behind this meal is as follows.  Wild Alaskan salmon is a great source of lean protein and has plenty of omega three and astaxanthin.  Lean protein much better than saturated fat forms of protein for the armd patient.  Omega three has been shown to have numerous health benefits including being healthy for the retina.  Astaxanthin has some amazing health benefits and many of these benefits target the eye. Astaxanthin is a potent anti inflammatory as well as potent antioxidant. Astaxanthin crosses the blood retina barrier and may help to absorb some of the harmful rays of the sun. Spinach and kale are very high in many nutrients that are unlocked when gently cooked. Lutein being the most important nutrient in dark green leafy vegetables for macular health. Lutein has been linked to improved visual recovery and acuity. Lutein is also a carotenoid that helps to replenish macular pigment density. This is very important in macular degeneration patients. The orange bell peppers and the goji berries are both great sources of another carotenoid called zeaxanthin that also helps to replenish the macular pigment density .  The organic  poached egg is one of the best sources of lutein and the phospholipids in the yolk will help the omega three, lutein, astaxanthin and zeaxanthin all absorb better.  The turmeric / curcummin spice is a potent anti oxidant as well as anti inflammatory and also exhibits some anti veg f activity.  blueberries are also being studied for their macular health benefits as well.  Green tea is a potent anti oxidant and anti inflammatory that also has some anti veg f attributes. These anti vegf  attributes may be very beneficial  for the macular degenerative patient.  The polyphenols in dark chocolate are also linked to possible retinal health benefits.  Red wine contains resveratrol that in recent studies has proven to be of value in the dry and wet macular degeneration patients. Resveratrol is also a potent antioxidant, anti inflammatory that exhibits anti veg f activity.  Coconut oil is very high in medium chain triglycerides as well as lauric acid and is linked to improved neurological health in patients with dementias.  There is a link between Alzheimer’s and macular degeneration so maybe there will be a link discovered proving that coconut oil may be beneficial for armd.    Obviously patients are not going to eat this for every meal but this does give them at least one meal to start adding to their menu.  I developed Fortifeye Complete Macular Defense and Fortifeye Zinc Free Macular Defense  vitamin supplements for patients that want to ensure they are getting the best nutrition possible to support retinal health and total body health. I highly recommend having your DNA tested if you have any signs of macular degeneration. This DNA test will help gauge the severity of your macular degeneration and more importantly it will show you if zinc is good or bad for your retinas.  We are finding that a large percentage of patients with specific DNA for macular degeneration are being harmed by high dosage of zinc. Fortifeye Vitamins work in conjunction with proper diet and lifestyle adjustments.

Michael Lange OD, CNS

Fortifeye Family of products

learn more at www.fortifeye.com  or call 1 866 503 9746.   Eat to your health and keep the faith!

Michael Lange OD, CNS

www.drmicahellange.com

www.langeeyecare.com