No One Noticed that Kennedy couldn’t see out of her left eye - not even her parents. Read more about Kennedy's story
Hey kids
Check out these awesome games!
A Carrot a Day Can Keep the Eye Doctor Away?
February 2006 - According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, eating carrots, which are rich in the nutrient beta carotene, as well as foods containing vitamins C and E and zinc, results in a significantly reduced risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
"It's great news," said Dr. Robert Cykiert, a professor of ophthalmology at New York University School of Medicine. "It's an excellent way to prevent a condition that's difficult to treat."
AMD, a progressive eye disease, results from changes to the macula, (a portion of the retina at the back of the eye), which is responsible for clear, sharp vision. The condition affects 15 million Americans and is the leading cause of legal blindness in the United States. In addition, the number of people severely disabled by late-stage AMD is expected to increase by more than 50 percent in the next 20 years.
"We're expecting to see more AMD because the Baby Boomer generation is approaching that age, and everyone is living longer," Cykiert said. "It potentially could be devastating."
The study found that people who consumed higher levels of vitamin E and zinc had about a 10 percent lower risk of developing AMD. Those with an above-average intake of all four nutrients (beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc) had a 35 percent reduced risk of AMD. Adding nutritional supplements to people who already had a high intake of these nutrients did not change the results. In addition, people who consumed below-average amounts of these nutrients had a 20 percent increased risk of developing AMD.
Although the study results still need to be confirmed, they do add valuable information, the researchers said. "Up to now, we thought you needed to take heavy doses of supplements to achieve the benefits of these antioxidants," Cykiert said. "Now we know that if you eat a diet rich in these substances you achieve the same benefit, and possibly even more."