MACULAR DEGENERATION
Age-related (ARMD): Macular degeneration is a medical condition usually of older adults that results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field (the macula) because of damage to the retina. It occurs in “dry” and “wet” forms. It is a major cause of visual impairment in the elderly (>50 years).[1] Macular degeneration can make it difficult or impossible to read or recognize faces, although enough peripheral vision remains to allow other activities of daily life.
Macular degeneration and Lutein/ Xeaxanthin in diet: Some evidence supports a reduction in the risk of age-related macular degeneration with increasing intake of two carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin[28] and a large clinical trial is still ongoing to see if they can influence the progression of this disease.[29]
Even so, Cochrane Database Review found that the use of vitamin and mineral supplements by the general population had no effect on age-related macular degeneration,[30] a finding echoed by another review.[31] A Cochrane Review of the effects of vitamins and minerals on the slowing of ARMD found that positive results mainly came from a single large trial in the United States (the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, with funding from the eye care product company Bausch & Lomb who also manufactured the supplememts used in the study[32]), and questioned the generalization of the data to any other populations with different nutritional status. The review also questioned the possible harm of such supplements, given the increased risk of lung cancer in smokers with high intakes of beta-Carotene, and the increased risk of heart failure in at-risk populations who consume high levels of vitamin E supplements.[33]
Consuming omega-3 fatty acids has been correlated with a reduced progression of early ARMD, and in conjunction with low glycemic index foods, with reduced progression of advanced ARMD.[34]
(Sources: National Institutes of Health/ Wikipedia with links to Wikipedia)
