Nutrition to prevent macular degeneration

The macula is the most sensitive part of the retina. Specifically, it is the part of the retina that allows the eye to focus in on fine detail. In other words, it is responsible for the sharp and clear, straight-ahead central vision that is essential for normal reading, driving and other activities. Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss after the age of 60. In this article, we will review some observations concerning nutrients and macular degeneration.

A study published in the Archive of Ophthalmology Journal in August 2001, evaluated 349 participants between the age of 55 and 80 with an advanced stage of age related macular degeneration. Higher vegetable fat consumption was linked with the increased risk of developing macular degeneration. The intake of fish oil, however, was associated with a decreased risk of age related macular degeneration.

Another study, this one published in 2002, revealed that the increasing intake of dietary anti-oxidants, particularly Zeaxanthin and Lutein, which belongs to the group of carotenoids, may reduce the probability of developing age related macular degeneration. Lutein and Zeaxanthin are naturally found in large concentrations in healthy macula.

In 2006 the Archives of Ophthalmology Journal published an experiment that studied the association between consumption of the carotenoids Lutein and Zeaxanthin and macular degeneration. The study involved females between the ages of 50 and 79 years old. The result of this study suggested that healthy females under the age of 75 may reduce the chances of developing age related macular degeneration by consuming higher amounts of Lutein and Zeaxanthin.

The American Journal of Ophthalmology published a population based study in 2007, with over 2000 subjects. A higher prevalence of age related macular degeneration was observed in individuals whose homocysteine levels were above average and vitamin B12 levels were low. The results suggested that a vitamin B12 deficiency and elevated levels of homocysteine may elevate the risk of developing macular degeneration.

The Archives of Ophthalmology Journal published a study in 2006, that assessed the relationship between cigarette smoking, fish consumption and macular degeneration. In this study, which involved over 700 elderly male twins, smoking was found to elevate the risk of macular degeneration by 32%. On the other hands, fish oil and Omega 3 fatty acid intake was found to decrease the risk of age related macular degeneration by about 22%. Therefore, the result of this study had suggested that cigarette smoking was a major risk factor for the development of age related macular degeneration while fish oil consumption may help prevent age related macular degeneration.