Did Captain Cook suffer from AMD? Or did he drink some Noni Juice?

Captain Cook died at the age of 51 – so we will never know the answer to that question. However, as he sailed across the South Pacific in the mid 18th Century, it is doubtful whether he had a large supply of curly kale and spinach to keep up his reserves of Lutein and Zeaxanthin. Upon reaching Hawaii, one wonders if he then feasted on the local Noni to replenish his levels of antioxidants. Softly marketed as one of the South Pacific’s best kept secrets and now available in the UK, Noni juice is fast becoming known over here the new ‘cure for all.’

Over 1,500 years ago, the first Polynesians travelled from South East Asia across the Pacific Ocean taking with them a strong herbal tonic used widely in their island culture – the Noni or Indian Mulberry. Flourishing in the rich volcanic soils, the Noni (or Morinda Citrifolia) plant is grown and harvested widely throughout the South Pacific. The Noni is known to be rich in a host of nutrients which are used to treat a host of ailments, from a simple headache or allergic reactions, to major chronic illnesses such as diabetes, arthritis and cancer.

Noni is rich in Vitamins A, E, C, B complex, carotenoids (Lutein and Zeaxanthin,) trace minerals such as Ca, Mg, K, Zn, Molybdenum etc, all flavonoids, and over150 phytonutrients. All of those ingredients present in one fruit has made the Noni, a powerful ‘super-antioxidant.’

Over recent years, research has suggested the use of antioxidants promote healthy aging, strengthen the immune system and encourage good health. Evidence from randomized controlled trials, in particular the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, suggests that supplementation with a combination of beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc may slow the progression of the AMD in people with early signs of the condition such as large drusen or AMD in one eye. There is still not enough evidence, however, to recommend antioxidant supplementation for people in the general population who do not have signs of AMD.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in a wide variety of vegetables, in particular green leafy plants such as spinach and kale and in some animal products such as egg yolks. Levels of macular pigment are affected by the amount of these carotenoids in the diet. Currently there is not enough evidence to recommend lutein and zeaxanthin supplements to prevent or slow down the progression of AMD, however, a diet rich in vegetables, particularly green leafy vegetables, will improve levels of macular pigment and may be beneficial.

So, is Noni – a new product for our practice shelves? Although the jury is still out on the long term benefits of dietary supplements, I would like to see a longitudinal study of Polynesians with age related maculopathies. In the meantime, I am off to find some Noni juice – I am not going to wait for AMD to catch me up (and I hate curly kale after all).