Plant antioxidants, especially the carotenoid substances lutein and zeaxanthin, have for a while been thought might be the answer to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a serious deterioration of central vision in older people. But consuming more of these antioxidants is not the complete answer by any means.

A new study has examined the possible benefits of fish and shellfish in the diet. A group of 2520 adults in Salisbury, Maryland aged 65 to 84 years had eye examinations, and 15% of these people had evidence of early to intermediate AMD. Only 3% had advanced disease.

From the food questionnaire results, those who ate oily (omega-3 rich) fish at least once a week were found to be 60% less likely to have advanced AMD compared with those who ate none, after correcting for other factors such as gender (AMD is more common in women and in smokers).

The link with specific fish oil constituents cannot be made on the basis of this study alone, but is definitely worth pursuing in future studies. AMD is common enough and a significant handicap that we need better ways of preventing it. This study adds weight to the evidence for the effect of dietary fats on AMD highlighted in another 2009 study.

Source: Swenor BK, et al. Presented at The Wilmer Residents Meeting, May 2009, Johns Hopkins University. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2010.03.058

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Originally posted in August 2010. everybody Nutrition News items are selected from a wide range of journals, bulletins and nutrition information sources worldwide and summarised by Professor John Birkbeck, Institute of Food Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University. The opinions contained herein are those of the author and not necessarily those of the publisher or sponsor. Copyright UBM Medica (NZ) Ltd.