According to new research, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) may be delayed or prevented in those individuals who consume a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids.
A team of scientists from the National Eye Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, fed mice a diet with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids and noticed a slower lesion progression as well as improvement in some lesions. The mice also had lower levels of inflammatory molecules and higher levels of anti-inflammatory molecules, which may explain this protective effect.
The studys conclusions suggest “a diet enriched in EPA and DHA can ameliorate the progression of retinal lesions in mouse model of AMD.”
The National Health Institutes estimates AMD is a leading cause of vision loss in Americans 60 years of age and older. It affects some 10 percent of people between the ages of 66 to 74, making it difficult for them to read or even recognize faces.
Dietary sources that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids include oily fish, but nutritional supplements are also a good alternative.
