VISION VITAMINS

Here’s one more reason for increasing your carotene intake: It may decrease your risk of age-related muscular degeneration (AR MD), a cause of blindness after age 50. AR MD sufferers have night blindness, or impaired ability to see in the dark, as well as a limited range of visual acuity. Vitamin A, which is derived from carotene, has been known for decades to reduce night blindness. But the link between AR MD and carotene has only recently been identified of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear infirmary and other at five American ophthalmology centers. Among nearly 900 people studied, those with the highest intake of carotene rich vegetables had a 43 per cent lower risk of developing AR MD than those with the lowest intake. In particular, a higher intake of spinach or collard greens substantially lowered risk. Foods rich in vitamin C appeared to have a small effect as well. Vitamin supplements, on the other hand, did’t, seem to help much.