Grape Seed Extract For Macular Degeneration

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Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss for people over 60 years old in the United States. Grape seed extract has been proposed as a natural therapy for this condition, but evidence supporting its use is weak.

Cause
One cause of macular degeneration occurs when the cells that make up the macula break down. This type, called dry macular degeneration, results in blurry vision, muted colors and the need for extra light, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC.

Wet macular degeneration results from the growth of abnormal blood vessels beneath the macula. These vessels then leak, causing the macula to swell and lift out of place, damaging the tissue. The wet form often occurs suddenly, causing loss of central vision or distortion of straight lines.

Vision Changes
Vision loss from macular degeneration will cause blurry central vision, and this is the vision you use throughout your daily life. Central vision lets you drive, read, sew and recognize faces. Even though the disease does not affect your side vision, losing the ability to do day-to-day activities will ...
... cause significant difficulties.

Symptoms of macular degeneration include a gray or blurred spot in your central vision, a general haziness to your vision, increased need for light when doing detailed work and difficulty reading or recognizing faces. Macular degeneration leaves peripheral vision untouched. If you notice any changes to your vision, visit your eye doctor as soon as possible.

Grape Seed Extract
Grape seed extract has been used to address health problems that involve your heart and blood vessels. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, grape seed extract has shown promise in the treatment of venous insufficiency, edema and diabetic retinopathy, a visual disorder frequently experienced by diabetics.

The extract contains powerful antioxidants called oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes, or OPCs. These compounds protect cells against both fat-soluble and water-soluble oxidants. According to "Prescription for Herbal Healing," grape seed extract may benefit those suffering from macular degeneration by improving blood vessel permeability and protecting the retina from damage

Other Prevention
To reduce your risk for macular degeneration, you should stop smoking and eat a diet rich in healthful foods such as leafy green vegetables and fatty fish such as salmon. Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly may also help reduce your risk for the disease and keep good vision.

Consideration
You should not use a vitamin or herbal supplement without first consulting your health care provider. She will review your health history and the medications you take to determine if you have the potential for any interactions.

Consult your doctor before taking grape seed extract. This supplement is generally safe, but may cause side effects such as itchy scalp, dizziness and nausea. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take grape seed extract.

The grape seed extract is a top supplement. Get to know grape seed extract and grape seed extract suppliers so as to improve your health.