Total Health Breakthroughs: Free Natural Health Newsletter and Alternative Health Articles

Are you in danger of losing your eyesight as you age? Over 25% of Americans over 65 have macular degeneration. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) affects more Americans than glaucoma and cataracts combined. As you grow older, your risk increases dramatically.

AMD is a deterioration of a portion of the retina. The retina is the backside of the eye. It records images and sends them to the brain. The central portion of the retina is the macula.

The macula plays major roles in these features of vision:

• Focusing vision
• Recognizing colors
• Recognizing faces
• Reading
• Driving a car
• Seeing fine details

In AMD, this critical structure of vision is gradually destroyed. There are two types of macular degeneration: “wet” and “dry.” “Dry” macular degeneration makes up about 90% of all cases. A yellow substance called drusen collects under the macula. The drusen thins and dries the macula, causing deterioration.

“Wet” macular degeneration affects only a minority of people suffering from AMD. In this case, blood vessels grow abnormally under the macula. These blood vessels eventually leak. The macula bulges, causing vision loss.

Step away from the omega-6 loaded corn chips and munch on these! Each low calorie serving is a good source of protein, an excellent source of vitamin C and provides a hefty 2 mg of lutein and zeaxanthin — two key nutrients that help to protect your vision.

Time to Table: 40 minutes

Serves: 4 (about 3/4 cup each)

This easy egg dish gets a savory spin with the fresh flavors of Greece. Both the eggs and the spinach provide lutein and zeaxanthin — nutrients that help to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration. Serve this sight-saving temptation with a salad of seasonal fruit for a light, yet nutrient-packed meal.

A home-style favorite gets a Southwestern kick from Chipotle peppers. In addition to their low calorie appeal, eggs are also a rich source of lutein — a nutrient that helps protect vision.

Farm-fresh eggs go Mediterranean in this one-dish meal that is perfect any time of the day. It provides sight-saving lutein and zeaxanthin, plus glutathione, an antioxidant that fights free radicals and detoxifies your body.

This nourishing soup provides a bevy of nutrients, plus fiber and protein from low-glycemic garbanzo beans, which are also called chickpeas.

Summer is a great time for fresh produce. This crisp organic salad (perfect for a light afternoon lunch with friends) is loaded with folate and also provides lutein and zeaxanthin –two nutrients that guard vision and help protect against certain cancers. So keep cool and stay healthy at the same time!