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High levels of antioxidants and zinc significantly reduce the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and its associated vision loss.

You may or may not have heard the above claim if you are suffering from AMD. Lutein and Zinc seem to really help with declining vision as we get older. Don't accept blurred vision as part of growing old - but be careful.

Why careful? If you have EVER smoked habitually, be careful about what types of antioxidants you take. It has been shown that taking Beta Carotene in high doses (even after you have quit smoking) can increase your risk of lung cancer.

Recent studies have shown that smoking and taking Beta Carotene supplements do not go together. Beta Carotene is an antioxidant, which means that it inactivates free radicals in the body. In the process it oxidizes and can become a kind of pro-oxidant or form oxidized by-products.

If you are a smoker you should by no means try to avoid Beta Carotene in your diet - just DON'T TAKE SUPPLEMENTS!

That's my words of wisdom for today!

Labels: aging, eye vitamins, senior nutrition