Macular Degeneration: Is it Coronary Artery Disease of the Eye?
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a result of lifestyle factors that result in disordered functioning of endothelium (ED) in the vessels supplying the affected ocular structures with blood (choroidalneovascularization [CNV]).
AMD is a local manifestation of systemic vascular disease. Treatment includes lifestyle modification by AMD-patients: (1) smoking cessation; (2) reduction of body weight (slimming); (3) regular, appropriate physical activity; (4) prescribing a low glycemic, phytochemically rich diet which includes: (a) flavonoids, (b) polyphenols (c) omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid); (d) carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin); (e) management of dietary glycemic index (GI); (5) caloric restriction (CR); (6) elimination/discontinuance of the stressful lifestyle.
“Non-pharmacologic therapy of age-related macular degeneration, based on the etiopathogenesis of the disease” Orv Hetil. 2015 Jul 12;156(28):1128-32. 51070 (12/2015) Tamás Fischer, MD, Körvasút Str. 75/B, H-1158 Budapest 0620/3917958 (Phone), t.fischer.med@gmail.com
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Excerpt from Shalesh Kaushal’s (MD, PhD) presentation at A4M Annual Meeting,
Dec 11-13, 2014
Regarding macular degeneration “…this lumpy, bumpy material that’s drusen, these are these yellowish inflammatory deposits that are found underneath the retina….these deposits that are found underneath the retina they are very similar to the atheromatous plaques, biochemically, that are found in coronary artery disease. In fact, there is a group of us who believe very
strongly that coronary artery disease and age-macular degeneration are actually the same biological process just occurring in two different parts of the body… it is also intriguing to realize that the same risk factors that are associated with coronary artery disease are also found in macular degeneration…”
*The retina is the most highly metabolic tissue in the body per unit weight
*It has the largest blood supply in the body per unit volume in the body
*Has the highest consumption of oxygen in the body per unit/volume
*Nearly every human disease as a retinal manifestation: the retina is a very sensitive barometer for total body health and nutrition
*Largest concentration of omega-3 in the body per unit volume; more than the brain
Dr. Shalesh Kaushal’s General Recommendations for Age-Related Macular Degeneration:
Daily broad-spectrum multivitamin/mineral
Lipoic acid, N-acetylcarnitine
Omega-3 fatty acids DHA/EPA
Omega-6 fatty acids – REDUCE – from processed foods
Vitamin D3
Eat lots of green and yellow vegetables
Eat lots of dark fruits (enriched in polyphenols)
Turmeric
Astaxanthin
Exercise at least 30 minutes per day
Sunglasses
“Metabolic Control and the Retina: It’s More than What Meets the Eye” Shalesh Kaushal, MD, PhD Presentation at A4M Annual Meeting, Dec 11-13, 2014. Retina Specialty Institute, 1400 N US Highway 441 Ste 532 The Villages, FL 32159, (352) 484-1171
Be and Stay Well,
Kirk
You may call Kirk Monday thru Friday 8-9 a.m. PST at 916-489-4400 for quick medical questions at Health Associates Medical Group.
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