Cure AMD Foundation™ is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), charitable organization, founded with a singular goal: To prevent vision loss from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) on a global scale, for millions of people.
We believe that this goal is not only possible, but entirely achievable, through the advocacy and adoption of ancestral dietary strategy – on a broad scale.
Our organization was founded by Ophthalmologist and Associate Clinical Professor Emeritus, Chris A. Knobbe, MD, formerly of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Knobbe’s hypothesis asserts that it is the ‘displacing foods of modern commerce’ that are the primary and proximate cause of AMD, and this hypothesis is strongly supported by the research he and nutrition researcher, Marija Stojanoska, MSc, completed.
Traditionally, allopathic medicine and ophthalmology have believed that AMD is caused primarily by aging and genetic risk factors. However, Dr. Knobbe’s research indicates that, just around 85 years ago, i.e., prior to 1930, AMD was an extreme medical rarity. This finding alone is inconsistent with a disease that is caused by aging – or genetics.
In the U.S. and United Kingdom, AMD prevalence rose from the status of rarity, from the mid-19th century through the 1920s, to epidemic proportions by the 1970s and beyond. AMD was also known to be a medical rarity in certain nations, such as Japan and India, just 40 years ago (i.e., approximately 1970).
Of course, today in most developed nations, AMD prevalence is either at epidemic proportions, or the incidence and prevalence has increased dramatically over recent decades. Coincident with these developments is a dramatic change in food consumption patterns, which most nutrition researchers would call “Westernization of the diet.”
Weston A. Price
Dr. Knobbe’s hypothesis and research is fundamentally based on the nutrition principles established by the late Weston A. Price (1870 – 1948), who published his epic volumes of anthropologic nutrition research in two textbooks, both under the title Nutrition and Physical Degeneration. These textbooks were published in 1939 and 1945, with the latter version being a slightly updated version of the 1939 text. These life-changing textbooks, which are germane to any and all nutrition researchers who wish to understand the dramatic health impacts of ancestral versus “Westernized” diets, can be found through the Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation.
Following the nutrition principles set forth by Weston Price, Dr. Knobbe sought to determine if the consumption of modern-day, Westernized foods, which equate primarily to refined white flour, refined (added) sugars, vegetable oils (of the polyunsaturated variety), and trans fats, were correlated with the development of macular degeneration. He and food and nutrition researcher, Marija Stojanoska, MSc, tapped into the databases of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), as well as other food consumption databases (for food consumption prior to 1961), to determine if there were positive correlations to the rising consumption of these man-made, processed foods in each nation and the prevalence of AMD in each respective nation, where that data was available. The team studied this correlative data in 25 nations, which is published in Dr. Knobbe’s book, Ancestral Dietary Strategy to Prevent and Treat Macular Degeneration. The relationships are remarkable, to say the least.
In August of 2016, Dr. Knobbe made his debut presentation of this hypothesis and supportive research, at the Ancestral Health Symposium – 2016, which was held at the University of Colorado – Boulder. Since then, Dr. Knobbe has been invited to be a speaker and/or published author for the Macular Degeneration Association, the Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation, the Weston A. Price Foundation, and more. Just click the following link for Dr. Knobbe’s speaking event schedule.
It is our collective hope and belief that, if you have a family history of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), this disease can be entirely prevented, through the consumption of an ancestral diet. This is relatively easy, but requires vigilance in today’s world, which is replete with refined, processed, nutrient-deficient and even toxic foods.
If you have developed early or moderate stages of dry AMD, we believe that immediate implementation of an ancestral diet provides the best possible chance to prevent further vision loss. And if you have developed late stages of AMD, particularly wet AMD, be certain to follow your ophthalmologist’s advice, carefully. Implementation of an ancestral diet in the late stages of macular degenerative disease may possibly be beneficial, however, this should always be secondary to your ophthalmologist’s advice and procedural recommendations.
We’re collectively here for you. It is our goal to reach as many people as possible, with Dr. Knobbe’s hypothesis and supportive research. We believe his book is the best way to do that, because only with deep understanding, can come deep, everlasting change. And if you have AMD or any other chronic, degenerative, or metabolic diseases, then you need change.
If you’re able, please help us to reach more people with this message and help us to complete further research, by making a charitable, tax-deductible donation, by clicking here. Your gift can help lives and save sight.
To learn all about our founder, Chris A. Knobbe, MD, click here for the About page.
To meet our Board of Directors, click here.
To learn about our 501(c)(3) IRS approved Financial Status, click here.
If you wish to support this cause by making a Charitable Contribution, click here.
