EFAs May Protect Against Macular Degeneration

08/07/06

Two new studies published in the July issue of the Archives of Opthamology confirm that a diet high in Essential Fatty Acids reduces the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The first of the studies, conducted by Australian researchers, was a 5-year study of 3654 persons over the age of 49. Baseline information was gathered between 1993 and 1994.¹ Five years later, 75 percent (2335 individuals) where reexamined. As well 79 percent of the participants (2895 individuals) filled out semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires allowing researchers to calculate dietary fat intakes. Analysis of that information yielded that individuals in the quintile with the highest intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) had a 59% lower chance of developing AMD than those in the lowest quintile of PUFA intake. Researchers also concluded that the consumption of fish had a particularly potent effect on the likelihood of the development of AMD. Those who ate fish once a week reduced their chances of developing AMD by 40%, while those who ate fish three times a week reduced their likelihood of developing AMD by a whopping 75%. Researchers concluded that a diet containing "the regular consumption of PUFAs, especially from fish," provides protection against early and late onset AMD.

A second population study based on twins in the United States yielded similar results and reconfirmed the deleterious effect that smoking has on AMD.² The study was comprised of elderly male twins from the National Academy of Sciences - National Research Council World War II Veteran Twin Registry. In order to ascertain genetic versus environmental risk factors, the twins were surveyed for a prior diagnosis of AMD and underwent an eye examination, fundus photography, and food frequency and risk factor questionnaires. These results yielded 222 twins with AMD whose disease could be associated solely with environmental factors and 459 who had no signs of the disease, for a total of 681 individuals without a genetic predisposition to AMD.

This study showed that individuals who consumed fish 2 or more times a week had a 55% reduced risk of AMD. The researchers also noted an even stronger reduction in risk in those who had significantly higher omega-3 than omega 6 intake. Unfortunately, however, they did not quantify the impact of the omega-3 to omega-6 ratio. The final observation from this study on the twins is that smokers were 1.9 times more likely to develop AMD than non-smokers, and former smokers were 1.7 times more likely to develop AMD than those that had never smoked.

These two studies reaffirm previous work that essential fatty acids benefit eye health and reduce the likelihood of developing AMD, while cigarette smoking significantly increase the likelihood of developing AMD.

In addition to a full line of Essential Fatty Acids, Whole Health, offers a special vision support formula, Optim-Eyes High-Potency Vision Support.

1. Chua, B., V. Flood, et al. (2006). "Dietary fatty acids and the 5-year incidence of age-related maculopathy." Arch Ophthalmol 124(7): 981-6.

2. Seddon, J. M., S. George, et al. (2006). "Cigarette smoking, fish consumption, omega-3 fatty acid intake, and associations with age-related macular degeneration: the US Twin Study of Age-Related Macular Degeneration." Arch Ophthalmol 124(7): 995-1001.

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