Table of Contents

1.	Overview
2.	Spinach in the Eyes
3.	Spinach & Cancer
4.	Spinach & Heart Disease
5.	Spinach in the Kitchen

Here’s what we know about macular degeneration or AMD. The macula of the eye is responsible for central vision – the type we need for close work like writing and sewing as well as distinguishing distant objects and color. Unfortunately, as many as 20% of all 65 year olds show at least some early evidence of age-related macular changes. By age 90, about 60% of Caucasians will be affected by AMD and close to 100% of centenarians reportedly have this leading cause of age-related vision loss. Worse yet, there is no effective treatment for AMD. The good news is that nutrition can play an important role in preventing AMD. Among the carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin are most strongly associated with a decreased risk for AMD. Spinach and its sidekick green leafies, are important players in preventing macular degeneration because of their rich supply of the carotenoids lutein/zeaxanthin and, coupled with dietary marine-based omega 3 fatty acids, they can offer a powerful reduction of our risk for AMD. It’s interesting that all of the lutein and a significant percentage of the zeaxanthin found in the macular come from the diet, thus reinforcing the prescription to eat the best sources of lutein – spinach and kale – regularly. For those who just can’t do green leafies or fish, the DHA eggs found in virtually every market supply very bioavailable amounts of lutein, zeaxanthin and DHA.