Saffron

I had a phone call from my fabulous optometrist last week about saffron. He told me the about the recent study on saffron supplements and AMD and said I should add saffron to my diet.

I was very excited as this is something easy to do. I got on google and searched for saffron supplements and found an Aussie company who make them as "Macular Health" (Nature's Goodness). They only cost me $40 with postage and I got them within a week.

As I am a self confessed nerd, I found the published article online and this is what I gathered:

• Saffron contains the antioxidants crocin and crocetin which is thought to be a retinal neuroprotectant against oxidative damage. This has been found in a rat model.
• A daily supplement of 20mg of saffron was given over 90 days and then changes in the fERG tests were measured.
• They found significant changes in the fERG results.
• A previous study indicated that saffron's protective effect on the retina is only temporary and disappears if supplementation is stopped, which was shown in a rat model.
• Concludes that "saffron supplementation may induce a short term significant improvement in retinal function in early AMD" and more studies are needed.

This is definitely a step in the right direction for something that could possibly help Stargardt's. The same university in Italy is recruiting for a study on saffron in Stargardt's. Here's the link for anybody interested in participating, or possibly I might go on an extended holiday to Italy.

Saffron Supplementation In Stargardt's Disease

And here is the link for the article on AMD.

Influence of saffron supplementation...

In the meantime, I will continue to take my saffron supplements and see what I can see!