People know that their eyesight gets worse with age, but what they eat can speed up that process. Eating a lot of fried food is one of them.
One of the most prominent American eye doctors has issued a warning that eating too much-fried food could be dangerous to your eyes.
People know that their eyesight gets worse with age, but what they eat can speed up that process. Eating a lot of fried food is one of them. According to Dr. Brian Wachler, who is well-known on TikTok for his well-liked health advice, trans fats, which are frequently present in fried food, are what lead to the start of age-related macular degeneration.
“Fried food is cooked in trans fats, which can raise your cholesterol levels,” he explained.
High cholesterol levels have “been linked to AMD and diabetic retinopathy,” he continued.
Doctor Walcher’s suggestion is supported by a research published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.
It demonstrated that individuals who regularly consume large amounts of red and processed meat, fried foods, refined cereals, and high-fat dairy products have a tripled risk of developing late-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Try increasing your intake of vitamin C-rich foods like citrus fruits, tomatoes, and red peppers, suggests Dr. Wachler.
Foods like spinach, kale, and mustard greens that contain lutein and zeaxanthin are also linked to a reduced risk of AMD, he added.
Alternately, using some vitamin C-containing supplements can potentially halt the growth of AMD.
A study of a supplement called the AREDS2 formula, which has 500mg of vitamin C, zinc, lutein, copper, vitamin E, and zeaxanthin, found that some people who don’t eat a lot of fresh green leafy vegetables might benefit from taking it.
Age-related macular degeneration
AMD affects more than 1.75 million individuals in the United States and causes irreversible vision loss.
Although the illness does not result in total blindness, it substantially impairs the center of vision.
One or both eyes may be affected by the disorder, which may manifest as:
Straight lines appearing wavy or crooked, objects seeming smaller than usual, and colors appearing less vibrant are all hallucinations.
In addition, Dr. Wachler noted that the use of “simple carbohydrates” such as those found in white bread and spaghetti is associated with macular degeneration.
“Simple carbohydrates, like those found in white bread and pasta, have been linked with a higher chance of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD).”
According to studies, a high blood sugar level is also associated with the start of AMD. This is because elevated blood sugar levels are linked to severe inflammation.
“These types of carbs are digested too quickly, causing a spike in blood sugar levels. To avoid this, swap your white bread and pasta for whole-grain versions,” suggested Doctor Wachler.
Wet AMD and dry AMD are the two kinds of AMD.
The US health agency notes that dry AMD, the less severe kind, develops gradually over several years and is caused by the accumulation of drusen, a fatty substance, in the retina.
On the other hand, wet AMD, which is less frequent, is caused by aberrant blood vessels in the back of the eyes.
However, it can advance quickly, so if you see AMD symptoms, make sure to see your optometrist as soon as you can.
Image Credit: Getty
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