icBirmingham - Greens diet blind hope
icBirmingham logo
icBirmingham Motors Jobs Homes Dating Post Mail Mercury What's On Grocery Coupons
Search icBirmingham for:
This section is no longer in use, please click on the links below to view news and sport from:

Birmingham Post Birmingham Mail Sunday Mercury


Greens diet blind hope

Jan 30 2003

By Paula Marsh, Evening Mail

 

Scientists have launched a study in Birmingham to see how eating your greens can help reduce the risk of blindness.

Researchers at Aston University will use nutritional supplements to see if they can prevent or slow down the onset of agerelated macular degeneration.

The disease is the leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in the Western world.

It affects more than half-a-million people in the UK and can result in a permanent loss of central vision.

Risk factors include age, a low-antioxidant high-fat diet, sunlight exposure, smoking and family history.

A combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids and zinc has already been shown to be modestly effective in slowing the progression of the disease when taken in tablet form.

Now researchers are hoping to slow the disease still further by examining a specific nutrient called lutein which is found in spinach, broccoli, kale, corn, green peas, lettuce and collard greens.

And they are calling on anyone with the condition who wishes to take part in the study to contact them.

Lutein is believed to protect the macular - the central part of the retina which gives us the most detailed vision.

Scientists believe the nutrient destroys free radicals which damage the retina and absorbs short wavelength light, which is most damaging to the eye.

Hannah Bartlett, researcher at Aston University, said: "There is some research that suggests taking these supple-ments on a daily basis may prevent or slow down the progression of ARMD.

"At Aston we are conducting a study to try and determine the role of nutritional supplements."

She said that people could reduce the risk of developing the disease by eating a diet rich in green leafy vegetables and fruit.

If you would like to take part call Hannah on 0121 359 8487.

 

Top Top | Back Back |

E-mail to a friend | Printable version

 

 


Copyright and Trade Mark Notice
© 2010 owned by or licensed to Trinity Mirror Midlands Limited.
icBirmingham™ is a trade mark of Trinity Mirror Midlands Limited.
Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Statement before using this site.
 
Advertisement Links

Find your new job:
 
 
  e.g. secretary