Newswise – Northampton, MA – The American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF) has launched a four-part kitchen series, “Eat Right For Your Sight,” for those affected by age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and anyone interested in optimizing healthy vision. Each episode is hosted by journalist, author and filmmaker Jennifer Trainer Thompson, and combines the AMD diet for optimal eye nutrition with advice on visually impaired cooking aids that make cooking in the kitchen accessible and safe.
Based on the AMDF cookbook of the same name, the show’s recipes for macular degeneration stem from the groundbreaking work of Johanna M. Seddon, MD, ScM, director of Retina and the Macular Degeneration Center of Excellence, UMass Chan Medical School.
Dr. Seddon’s AMDF-funded studies have established ocular nutrition as the cornerstone of AMD care, and his findings on the influence that genetic makeup and lifestyle choices have on each other form the basis of almost all healthy habits that ophthalmologists recommend for AMD. patients: stop smoking, eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids (whole fish) and lutein and zeaxanthin (dark leafy greens), maintain recommended body weight and blood pressure, and exercise.
Dr. Seddon, who co-wrote the cookbook with host Trainer Thompson, appears in Episode 3. AMDF Founder and President Chip Goehring, who was diagnosed with AMD at age 39-year-old and later founded the AMDF, appears in Episode 2 to do a little prep work, test out some of the safety tips, and outline her ongoing journey with macular degeneration.
“We thank the Novartis STEP program for funding the series. Their grant gave us carte blanche to create something that we believe can have a real impact in helping people find their way into a new life with AMD,” says Goehring.
Tying the entire series together, Jennifer Trainer Thompson develops a dialogue with guests, while following recipe instructions, sharing nutritional information and incorporating safety adaptations tailored to each dish.
“These shows are built around health and how-to, but they’re basically about hope,” says trainer Thompson. “All are key ingredients for maintaining an excellent quality of life as we age, especially for those who have to adapt to the additional losses that come with a chronic disease like macular degeneration. It’s something you can live, and live well!
The series can be viewed at macular.org/cookingshow. Recipes featured on the show are also available on the AMDF website, macular.org, as well as in the cookbook, “Eat Right For Your Sight,” available from the AMDF via the website or by calling 1-888-MACULAR (1-888-622-8527).
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The American Macular Degeneration Foundation (macular.org) is a patient-centered foundation that supports potentially groundbreaking AMD research, education, and advocacy to improve quality of life and treatment outcomes for all people. people affected by AMD.
