Hello

Why AMD?
People often ask me why I chose to focus on age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The answer is simple: my Dad. He developed AMD, which unfortunately progressed to an advanced stage.

My Dad wasn’t one to talk much about his condition, but over time, the effects became undeniable. He had to give up driving and could no longer read his daily newspaper—simple pleasures that were lost to him. One moment, in particular, stands out to me.

During lockdown, my Mum and Dad had been isolating, and we weren’t going to be together for Christmas. My brother, sister, and I decided to surprise them. I drove three hours to South Wales just to say hello at their doorstep and deliver Christmas presents. We thought it would be fun to pretend to be carol singers.

When my Mum answered the door, she was delighted to see us. But when my Dad came to the door, he genuinely believed we were carol singers—he couldn’t see well enough to recognise us. Despite this, the visit was deeply appreciated by all of us.

My own health struggles had led me to study nutrition, and during my studies, I became increasingly aware of my Dad’s vision problems. I didn’t know much about AMD at the time, but I started wondering: could nutrition make a difference to this condition?

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The good news is that the answer is YES—nutrition and lifestyle changes can significantly impact the progression of AMD. Here’s why:
 

• Risk Factors: Many of the risk factors for AMD—like heart disease, unhealthy cholesterol levels, obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes—can be prevented and even reversed through proper nutrition and lifestyle changes.

• Disease Processes: The underlying processes of AMD, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction, can be positively influenced by how we eat.

• Historical Perspective: When people were following traditional, ancestral diets, AMD was virtually non-existent. Today, it’s the leading cause of vision loss in the developed world. What changed? Not our genetics, but our diets certainly did.

I’m passionate about nutrition because it’s empowering to know we can take control of our health. I hope to inspire you to make positive changes in your life, and if you need support, I’m here to help. My one-to-one programme is designed to help slow the progression of your AMD.

Sadly, we lost my Dad in 2023, but he left us with very fond memories. The picture is of him on his 90th birthday. Despite his vision loss, he always remained independent and kept his wonderful sense of humour.

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