Researchers have continued to dig deeper into eye health and nutrition during the past year. The intake of antioxidants, beta-carotene, zinc, and vitamins A, C, and E were evaluated in 2,464 people aged 49 or older who took part in the Blue Mountains Eye Study, published in the
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in June 2008 (87(6):1,899-1905). It was discovered that higher intakes of vitamin C, or the combined intake of antioxidants, had long-term protective associations against the development of nuclear cataracts. Associations between age-related nuclear cataracts and lutein and zeaxanthin in the diet and serum were explored in the Carotenoids in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, published in
Archives of Ophthalmology (2008;126(3):354-364). Among a total of 1,802 women ages 50 to 79 studied, it was found that diets rich in lutein and zeaxanthin were linked with decreased prevalence of nuclear cataract. Prospective observational data from a large cohort of female health professionals published in the
Archives of Ophthalmology (2008; 126(1):102-109) shows higher dietary intakes of lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin E from food and supplements were associated with significantly decreased risks of cataracts. In a 2008 systematic review and meta-analysis of dietary omega-3 fatty acid and fish intake in the primary prevention of AMD published in the
Archives of Ophthalmology (126:826-833), researchers concluded that consumption of fish and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acid may be linked with lower AMD risk, but additional research is needed to support recommendations for consumption. Researchers eagerly await the upcoming Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2, which will further evaluate nutritional factors, specifically, lutein, zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids, in a multicenter, controlled, randomized trial.
Eating up eye nutrients
The National Eye Institute, Bethesda, MD, one of the government’s National Institutes of Health, suggests that people with intermediate risk of AMD in one or both eyes, or advanced AMD in one eye, should take the formulation used in the AREDS (vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and zinc) to prevent AMD development by 25%. Plus, many experts believe that lutein, zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids may have protective effects worth focusing on. Lutein and zeaxanthin are two of the most-abundant carotenoids in the American diet. These carotenoids both have yellow pigments, but are also found in many foods with green pigmentation. Common sources include dark-green leafy vegetables, broccoli, oranges, peppers, corn, peas, persimmons and tangerines. Eggs from chickens fed marigold petals have also been found to contain high levels of lutein. Look for more research results to bring the role of nutrition in eye health into focus in the near future.
Sharon Palmer, a registered dietitian with 16 years of experience in health-care and foodservice management, writes about food and nutrition for newspapers, magazines, websites and books. She makes her home in Southern California and can be reached at info@sharonpalmer.com.
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