Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a common cause of vision loss
in seniors and others with certain risk factors, but the risk can be decreased
by a diet rich in fish! Recently, researchers from the Harvard School of Public
Health found that AMD may be associated with a high dietary fat intake. The results of their study found that
eating fish, such as tuna, four times a week, may reduce the risk of macular
degeneration. The subjects of the study were participants in the Nurses’
Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study who did not have AMD
at when the study commenced. After 12 years of follow-up, 567 people with a
visual loss of 20/30 or worse were identified. Fat intake was assessed with a
food frequency questionnaire. The study found:
·
Those
patients whose total dietary fat intake was in the highest quintile had over
one and a half times the risk of AMD as those whose fat intake was in the
lowest quintile,
·
Linolenic
acid consumption was directly associated with the risk of AMD,
·
High
intake of docosahexaenoic acid was associated with a modest reduction in the
risk of AMD.
·
Those
who ate four or more servings of fish a week were at a 35% lower risk of AMD
when compared to those who ate fewer than three servings of fish a week.
The researchers concluded that dietary fat intake was associated with an
increased risk of age related macular degeneration (AMD) and that this may have
been due to the presence of Linolenic acid in the fat. They added that a high
intake of fish, a rich source of docosahexaenoic acid, may reduce this risk.
If you or someone you know has a family history of age related macular
degeneration or wishes to learn more about their risk of AMD and how to reduce
the risk of age related macular degeneration (AMD) by eating fish, please call
The Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center or
facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter to schedule an appointment.
The Eye Care & Surgery Center is staffed by a team of
Board Certified NJ Ophthalmologists who are subspecialty Fellowship trained New
Jersey eye surgeons, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide
eye examinations for adults and children, surgery for cataracts, intraocular
lens implants (IOL), laser vision correction such as LASIK, diagnosis and
treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, diagnosis and
treatment of diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular
degeneration (AMD) and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma, reconstructive and
cosmetic facial surgery including eyelid surgery and facial and skin
rejuvenation as well as contact lenses, eyeglasses, eyewear and optical services.
With locations at 592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New
Jersey 07090, 10 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059 and 517 Route One
South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, The Eye Care & Surgery Center
is a leading NJ eye care practice conveniently located for patients from
throughout central and northern New Jersey.
