Eye Problems

Our breakfasts, lunches and dinners have a particular effect on two common eye diseases, cataracts and macular degeneration — diseases which afflict millions of older Americans.

Yes, that’s right. I’m about to tell you that if you eat animal foods instead of plant foods, you just might go blind.

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of irreversible blindness among people over age sixty-five. Over 1.6 million Americans suffer from this disease, may of whom become blind.

– The China Study by Dr. Campbell; 2006; pages 214 – 215

Two studies, each involving a team of experienced researchers at prestigious institutions, provide compelling evidence that food can protect against macular degeneration. Both studies were published a decade ago. One evaluated diet and the other assessed nutrients in blood. The findings of these two studies suggest that as much as 70 – 88% of blindness caused by macular degeneration could be prevent if the right foods are eaten.

– The China Study by Dr. Campbell; 2006; page 215

These two studies consistently demonstrated the benefits of antioxidant carotenoids consumed as food.

– The China Study by Dr. Campbell; 2006; page 216

By the age of eighty, half of all Americans will have cataracts. Currently there are 20 million Americans age forty and older with the disease.

… Starting in 1988, researchers in Wisconsin began to study eye health and dietary intakes in over 1,300 people. Ten years later, they published a report on their findings. The people who consumed the most lutein, a specific type of antioxidant, had one-half the rate of cataracts as the people who consumed the least lutein. Lutein is an interesting chemical because, in addition to being readily available in spinach, along with other dark leafy green vegetables, it also is an integral part of the lens tissue itself. Similarly, those who consumed the most spinach had 40% less cataracts.

These two eye conditions, macular degeneration and cataracts, both occur when we fail to consume enough of the highly colored green and leafy vegetables. In both cases, excess free radicals, increased by animal-based foods and decreased by plant-based foods, are likely to be responsible for these conditions.

– The China Study by Dr. Campbell; 2006; page 217

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The information contained throughout this blog / website should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician / physician.