Eye Macular Disease, Fish, Chicken, vs Red Meat
Diet, the Eye and AMD - Fish, Chicken Are Good, Red Meat May Not Be
Apr 11, 2009
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a serious eye disease worldwide. The incidence of AMD in the United States is high, with almost 1.6 million people affected. In the near future, a 50 % increase in cases is projected. The disease occurs around the age of 50-60, but earlier and later onsets are common.
In AMD, central vision (related to the macula, located in the middle area of the retina, see diagram at bottom) is damaged. Thus, peripheral vision is good while central vision is not.
Current research is aimed at three points:
- understanding the main causes of AMD
- prevention
- remediation/ cure for those who have AMD.
AMD seldom progresses to complete blindness, but it is an important, progressive disability.
The Two Forms of Adult Macular Degeneration
There are two forms of AMD, wet and dry. About 85% of AMD is the dry form. The wet form causes more rapid and severe damage to the macular. The dry form is slower and more contained. Vision becomes blurred and distorted as AMD progresses.
In either wet or dry forms, a yellow biochemical deposit called drusen is evident and progressively affects the central vision.
People with AMD often see Amsler grid lines as wavy or folding. The grid test is simple and affords easy preliminary information.
Adult Macular Degeneration Basic Causes
The obvious immediate cause is the drusen that accumulates. Why do some have drusen and others do not? How can this be prevented? These are important questions and they are currently only partially answered.
Free radicals are generated during normal body metabolism. These free radicals can damage body cells and tissues. The eye is an organ at high risk. Antioxidative vitamins and foods are protective; they inactivate harmful, free radicals and block damage to the eye and other organs. Hence, any research to determine dietary factors and AMD is useful as illustrated in two studies.
Fish, Chicken and Red Meat Compared in Macular AMD Studies
The European fish study by Augood and others was as follows:
- There were 105 AMD patients and 2,170 controls (normal individuals).
- Analysis of dietary habits of participants related to eating natural-oily fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring, sardines) containing DHA or EPA (docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid), both are unsaturated fatty acids that are proven as heart healthy
- 4 ounces of fish was considered a medium serving.
- Results: Eating this amount of oily fish once or more each week halved the chances of a person getting AMD. Those not eating fish, or consuming little, had a higher incidence of AMD.
Chong and colleagues did a study (cohort prospective) of 5,604 patients and discovered 1,680 had AMD by their definition and that:
- increased consumption of red meat correlated positively with early AMD.
- chicken eaten at least three times a week on average correlated inversely with macular degeneration, i.e. the more chicken eaten, the less evidence of the disease. This does not mean that chicken prevents the disease. Simply phrased— less red meat, and more chicken, is a healthier diet combination for protection against AMD. Of course, the corollary is more red meat—increased risk of AMD.
Eye Protective Foods Vitamins and Supplements That Neutralize Free Radicals
Select vitamin supplements may promote and maintain eye health. Many products and formulations are available. To avoid confusion call an ophthalmologist, or other physician, for a specific recommendation.
- beta-carotene (for Vitamin A)
- vitamin C
- vitamin E
- zinc
- copper
The combination listed above contains antioxidants, protectors against free radical damage.
Please note that there are many formulations available that include bilberry, taurine, azaxanthins, and multiple other supplements.
The AREDS study is one of only a few that is supported and validated by the National Eye Institute of NIH.
There it is! The eyes may be the "window to the soul", but they also reflect overall body health.
Here's to good and better eating for all!
Sources
- Augood, C. et al. Oily fish consumption, dietary docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid intakes, and associations with neovascular age-related macular degeneration Am J Cl. Nutr. 2008;88:398-406
- Chong, ET. et al. Red Meat Chicken Consumption and Its Association With Age-related Macular Degeneration. Am J Epidemiol. 2009;169:867-876.
- National Eye Institute, NIH. 2009. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).
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