Nutrition for AMD

30/04/2026

Hi all, I’m really excited to share that I’ve been invited to support a new local health project (as the nutritionist), and I’d love to help spread the word.

If you (or someone you know) has type 2 diabetes this could be a fantastic opportunity.

REVERSE – A 3-Month Health Project

This project is run by the Chester and District Federation of the Blind, with medical and nutrition support, and is designed to help people take control of their blood sugar using a low carbohydrate approach.

Over the three months, you’ll receive:

• Ongoing support and guidance
• Practical nutrition advice
• Access to Continuous Glucose Monitors (worth over £300)
• The chance to track and improve your blood sugar levels

The aim is simple: to help you understand your body better and support your blood sugar levels to come down in a safe, supported way.

It’s open to people in the Chester and Ellesmere Port areas.

I’m genuinely really passionate about this work, and it’s a privilege to be involved in a project like this that can make such a real and lasting difference to people’s health.

If you’re interested, or would like more information, you can get in touch directly:

📞 Sue: 07739801266
📧 info@cdfb.co.uk
🌐 www.cdfb.co.uk

Or feel free to message me directly and I can point you in the right direction.

If this isn’t for you but you know someone who might benefit, please do share this post.

The Chester and District Federation of the Blind (CDFB) is a charity run by and for people who are blind or partially sighted.

03/03/2026

When you get your cholesterol results back, what do you look at first?

For most people, it’s total cholesterol or LDL.

But those numbers on their own don’t always tell the most useful story.

What often gives a clearer picture is:

• Triglycerides
• HDL
• And the ratio between them

Why?

Triglycerides tend to rise when blood sugar and insulin are high while HDL often falls when someone is becoming insulin resistant.

So when we see high triglycerides and low HDL it tells us the body may be struggling to handle carbohydrates well.

And that pattern is strongly linked with:

• Heart disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Chronic inflammation
• And other chronic diseases such as AMD

When triglycerides are low and HDL is strong, it often reflects better blood sugar control and lower inflammation.

Because the same processes that affect the heart also affect the eyes, these numbers matter for eye health too.

If you have your last blood test handy, have a look.

What were your triglycerides and your HDL?

Understanding these numbers puts you back in control of your health story.

25/02/2026

Did you know there’s emerging research showing that supporting gut health can improve inflammatory and metabolic markers in people with AMD?

It’s one of the reasons gut health is becoming an important — but often overlooked — part of the eye health conversation!

I’m sharing a blog today explaining a little more about the gut–eye link in AMD.

Is this a new idea for you? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Did you know your gut can affect your eyes? Yes, really! If you’re dealing with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), taking care of your gut could be a key part of protecting your vision. Let me explain why.The Gut MicrobiomeYou might have heard about the gut microbiome—it’s the collection ...

10/02/2026

Is AMD Really Just an Eye Problem?

When most people are diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration, the focus is entirely on the eye.

Eye scans.
Eye vitamins.
Eye injections.

But increasingly, researchers are recognising something important:

AMD doesn’t happen in isolation.

The retina is made up of tiny, delicate blood vessels and some of the most energy-hungry cells in the entire body.

That means it’s deeply influenced by:

• Blood sugar regulation
• Blood pressure
• Inflammation
• Oxidative stress
• Mitochondrial (energy) function

In other words — overall metabolic health and inflammatory load.

This is why we often see overlap between AMD and conditions like:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Obesity
• Metabolic syndrome

That doesn’t mean AMD is “caused” by one thing.

But it does mean the eye reflects what’s happening systemically.

And here’s the hopeful part:

If AMD is influenced by ‘whole-body health’…then supporting ‘whole-body health’ matters.

That’s why in this group we don’t just talk about ‘eye supplements’ or ‘eye foods’, we talk about:

• Optimising nutritional intake
• Blood sugar balance
• Reducing inflammation
• Supporting gut health
• Lifestyle factors that influence overall health

Because when you support the whole body, you support the eyes.

AMD may show up in the eye.
But the roots often go much deeper.

12/01/2026

If you’re following an “eye-healthy” or “AMD” diet but your blood pressure or blood sugar are still high, weight won’t shift, inflammation or pain persists, or you simply don’t feel better overall, then what you’re doing isn’t working.

Because when you get it right, your whole health starts to move in the right direction.

12/01/2026

This article explains insulin resistance in simple terms, and why it matters so much for eye health and AMD.

This isn’t about diabetes alone – many people have insulin resistance for years without realising, and it can quietly drive inflammation, oxidative stress, and faster progression of AMD.

If you’ve ever wondered why blood sugar balance keeps coming up in my posts, this blog will help connect the dots.

Have a read and let me know if anything clicks for you.

What is Insulin Resistance?Insulin is a hormone made by your pancreas, and its job is to help regulate blood sugar. After you eat, your blood sugar rises, and insulin helps move that sugar out of your bloodstream and into your cells for energy or storage.But here’s the problem: when your body’s ...

07/01/2026

Many of us snack little and often, thinking it helps with energy or keeps blood sugar “steady”.

But every time you eat — especially sugary or starchy foods — your body releases insulin.
If this is happening all day, insulin never really gets a break.

Over time, this can drive inflammation and poor blood sugar control — both of which are linked with faster progression of AMD.

Your eyes are very sensitive to inflammation and blood sugar swings.

Tip:

Aim for meals with protein, healthy fats, and vegetables so you stay full for several hours.

If you do need a snack, think protein + fat (eggs, olives, cheese, nuts) rather than carbohydrates on their own.

❓Question: Are you a grazer or a meal-person?

05/01/2026

“I’ve eaten a healthy diet all my life… so my AMD must be genetic.”

I hear this a lot. And to be clear, everyone’s situation is different – genetics do play a role, and I’m never saying anyone is “wrong”.

But my first thought is often this:

What do we mean by a ‘healthy diet’ – and who decided that?

If you followed mainstream nutrition advice over the last few decades, that often meant:

• low-fat
• avoiding cholesterol
• limiting or avoiding animal foods
• swapping out animal fats for vegetable oils
• getting the majority of your calories from whole grains and starchy carbs

That was considered “healthy”.

The problem is, we now know that this way of eating isn’t best for health – and for some people, it can quietly lead to:

• blood sugar problems
• chronic inflammation
• nutrient shortfalls
• poor metabolic health

All of which matter hugely for eye health.

Even vegetarian or vegan diets, while well-intentioned, can cause more harm than good if they’re not very carefully planned.

So when someone says “I’ve always eaten healthily”, the question isn’t did you try to eat well?

The question is, did your diet actually support your biology – metabolism, inflammation, nutrient needs…

It’s about understanding that today’s nutrition knowledge is very different from what many of us were taught years ago.

And the good news?
What you do now still matters. 🌱

18/12/2025

Here’s your reminder to get those brightly coloured and green veggies in today….and if you want to know why this is essential for eye health…⬇️

Did you know that the vibrant colours in fruits and vegetables do more than brighten your plate? They contain carotenoids—natural pigments made by plants, algae, and bacteria—that play a critical role in protecting and enhancing your vision. Of the 40–50 carotenoids in our diet, just three are...

10/12/2025

Just resharing this one today, as it’s a good reminder of why it’s worth paying attention to what you eat when living with AMD.

Nutrition really CAN make a difference — not just for slowing progression but for helping your eyes work as well as they can right now.

If you need a bit of motivation or reassurance that the effort is worth it, here you go ❤️

If you’ve been told you have age-related macular degeneration (AMD), you might be wondering: “Can my diet actually make a difference?” The answer is a resounding YES! Here’s why diet can be a powerful tool in managing AMD, and how the right nutrition can help you take control of your eye hea...

03/12/2025

Dame Judi Dench has been speaking very openly about her experience with AMD, and it’s helping to raise awareness of a condition so many people live with quietly. AMD can be misunderstood — even by those closest to us — so hearing a familiar face talk about it does make a difference.

Remember there are ways we can support our eye health through the choices we make each day. Looking after our general health, nutrition, and lifestyle remains such an important part of the picture in slowing progression of AMD 🙏❤️

03/12/2025

Resharing this one today — a quick guide to building a healthy, balanced plate to support your eyes and overall health!

If you ever wonder what to actually put on your plate at mealtimes, this little guide breaks it down simply 👇🏻

When it comes to looking after your vision and overall health, what you put on your plate matters. Building a balanced, nutritious meal is a simple yet powerful way to help manage Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and boost your overall well-being. Let’s break down how to build a healthy plat...