Three easy ways to restore your vision in the New Year
As with most health issues, Dr. Fred Pescatore can’t overstate the importance of diet in preventing and treating age-related macular degeneration—or AMD.
He’s had overwhelming success in helping patients reverse and halt the degeneration of their macula through a well-designed diet. And recent research just further solidifies his point.
The study—which looked at the eating habits of nearly 900 people over the age of 55—showed that these three dietary tactics can cut AMD risk by more than a third…
- Eat Mediterranean.
If it seems like all health roads lead to the Mediterranean diet, it’s with good reason. More and more research points to Mediterranean-style diets—which emphasize fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, healthy fats, fish, and moderate amounts of red meat and butter—as the foundation of good health.
And eye health is no exception, it seems. The study found that the people who adhered most closely to a Mediterranean diet had a 35 percent lower risk of developing AMD than those who did not follow the Mediterranean diet.
- Eat your fruits and veggies.
The people who consumed the most fruit—about 5 ounces or more per day—were 15 percent less likely to develop AMD. Which makes sense, since fruits are a rich source of antioxidants—which are essential for eye health.
Dr. Pescatore recommends getting your food from fresh and local sources. He says, “My local farmer’s market is my favorite place to shop for groceries. Of course, it can be tricky in the winter months. So when it’s cold out, the perimeter of any local supermarket works just as well in a pinch.”
- Have a cup of coffee.
This one may seem surprising since so many people mistakenly consider coffee as a “vice.”
But in this study, the people who consumed higher amounts of caffeine—roughly the equivalent of one shot per day of espresso—were less likely to have AMD.
Plus, separate research shows that drinking coffee dramatically reduces the risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. And that means it also reduces the risk of diabetic retinopathy—which is the No. 1 cause of blindness in the U.S.
“So”, Dr. Pescatore says, “there’s no need to feel guilty about your morning cup of coffee. Just be sure to ditch the sugar.”
The bottom line here is this: Paying close attention to your eye health is extremely important, especially as you age. And a new year is the perfect time to pick up healthy eating habits. Not only will a well-balanced diet help prevent age-related macular degeneration—it can significantly improve your overall health, too.
Dr. Pescatore’s offers several diet tips that can help you keep your vision sharp for many years to come in his Ageless Vision Protocol. Click here to enroll today, or to learn more about this one-of-a-kind protocol.