Older adults who eat diets rich in citrus fruits, leafy greens and fish oil have a lower risk of age-related macular degeneration that leads to vision loss.
Older adults who eat diets rich in citrus fruits, leafy greens and fish oil have a lower risk of age-related macular degeneration that leads to vision loss.
Glycemic index (GI) refers to how rapidly a food causes blood sugar to rise. High-GI foods, like white bread and potatoes, tend to spur a quick elevation in blood sugar, while low-GI foods, such as lentils, soybeans, yogurt and many high-fibre grains, create a more gradual increase in blood sugar. The blood-sugar surges associated with high-GI diets may eventually damage the macula, the most sensitive part of the retina in the eye. This can put the body under more oxidative stress, which over time damages cells and may lead to various diseases, including AMD.
AMD, also known as age-related macular degeneration refers to gradual damage to the macula, a structure in the retina responsible for seeing fine detail. A number of studies in the past have suggested that individual nutrients, including the antioxidants lutein, vitamin C and vitamin E, can help protect against AMD.
To look at associations between diet and AMD among older adults, researchers from America identified 4003 participants and tested their eyes for AMD. The researchers also monitored the diets of the participants.
It was found that participants who tended to eat fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, or foods high in vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, lutein and zeaxanthin, had a relatively lower risk of AMD. Lutein and zeaxanthin are plant pigments that act as antioxidants; the nutrients are found in broccoli, spinach and other leafy green vegetables, as well as egg yolks. It was also found that diets containing foods with a low glycemic index, also appeared protective against AMD.
The above findings indicate that consuming diets low in GI and having higher intakes of fruits, leafy vegetables and fish oil are associated with the greatest reduction in risk for AMD.
Glycemic index (GI) refers to how rapidly a food causes blood sugar to rise. High-GI foods, like white bread and potatoes, tend to spur a quick elevation in blood sugar, while low-GI foods, such as lentils, soybeans, yogurt and many high-fibre grains, create a more gradual increase in blood sugar. The blood-sugar surges associated with high-GI diets may eventually damage the macula, the most sensitive part of the retina in the eye. This can put the body under more oxidative stress, which over time damages cells and may lead to various diseases, including AMD.
AMD, also known as age-related macular degeneration refers to gradual damage to the macula, a structure in the retina responsible for seeing fine detail. A number of studies in the past have suggested that individual nutrients, including the antioxidants lutein, vitamin C and vitamin E, can help protect against AMD.
To look at associations between diet and AMD among older adults, researchers from America identified 4003 participants and tested their eyes for AMD. The researchers also monitored the diets of the participants.
It was found that participants who tended to eat fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, or foods high in vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, lutein and zeaxanthin, had a relatively lower risk of AMD. Lutein and zeaxanthin are plant pigments that act as antioxidants; the nutrients are found in broccoli, spinach and other leafy green vegetables, as well as egg yolks. It was also found that diets containing foods with a low glycemic index, also appeared protective against AMD.
The above findings indicate that consuming diets low in GI and having higher intakes of fruits, leafy vegetables and fish oil are associated with the greatest reduction in risk for AMD.
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