Intake of Carotenoids, Antioxidants May Reduce the Risk of Early Age-Related Maculopathy

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Intake of Carotenoids and other Antioxidants May Reduce the Risk of

Early Age-Related Maculopathy

http://www.vitasearch.com/CP/weeklyupdates/

Reference: " Intake of zinc and antioxidant micronutrients and early

age-related maculopathy lesions, " MS, Jacques PF, et al,

Ophthalmic Epidemiol, 2007; 14(5): 288-98. (Address: Mayer U.S.

Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at

Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA. E-mail:

martha.morris@... ).

Summary: In a study involving 398 women between the ages of 52 and 74

years, intake of various carotenoids and vitamins A and E was found to

be associated with a reduced prevalence of early age-related

maculopathy. The subjects' micronutrient intakes were assessed using

semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires. Results found that the

prevalence of pigmentary abnormalities (PA) was significantly less among

subjects whose intakes of various carotenoids and antioxidants were

high. Specifically, energy-adjusted intakes of alpha-carotene,

beta-carotene, lycopene, total retinol, total vitamin A, and total

vitamin E were significantly inversely associated with the prevalence of

PA. Moreover, consumption of foods rich in alpha- or beta-carotene was

associated with a lower odds ratio of PA. Compared to women consuming

foods rich in alpha- or beta-carotene less than 5 times/week, those

consuming such carotenoid-rich foods 5-6 times/week had a 0.7 odds ratio

of PA, those consuming su ch foods 7-9.5 times/week had a 0.6 odds

ratio, and those consuming 10 or more servings/week of such foods had an

odds ratio of 0.3. No significant associations were found for zinc and

lutein/zeaxanthin. These results suggest that the prevalence of early

age-related maculopathy - for which macular degeneration, a leading

cause of blindness, is the end stage - may be reduced by intake of a

diet rich in alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, retinol, vitamin

A, and vitamin E.

--

ne Holden, MS, RD < fivestar@... >

" Ask the Parkinson Dietitian " http://www.parkinson.org/

" Eat well, stay well with Parkinson's disease "

" Parkinson's disease: Guidelines for Medical Nutrition Therapy "

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