Age-related macular degeneration affects 1.2 million Americans, mostly after age 65, and the irreversible condition gets gradually worse, robbing victims of the centre of their vision. Many people may be susceptible due to genetic factors, while smoking is known to heighten the risk.

Advertisement

The two nutrients, lutein and zeaxanthin, are both carotenoids - compounds that give many fruits and vegetables a yellow colour.

They help ward off the condition, apparently by allowing the eyes to filter harmful short-wavelength light and by curtailing other damaging effects to the macula, or the centre of the eye's retina, the researchers said.

Study focused on dietary habits
"No clear associations with other nutrients were seen," including the vitamins C and E and beta-carotene, according to the researchers, led by John Paul San Giovanni of the National Eye Institute, one of the National Institutes of Health in Maryland.

The six-year study asked about the dietary habits of 4 519 people aged 60 to 80 when enrolled.

Those in the top fifth of dietary consumption of foods containing the two nutrients had 35 percent less chance of developing the condition compared to those in the lowest fifth of consumption.

"Lutein and zeaxanthin may be considered as useful agents in food or supplement-based interventions designed to reduce the risk of AMD," the researchers wrote in their report, published in the journal Archives of Ophthalmology.

Foods considered good sources of the nutrients include eggs, spinach, kale, turnip greens, collard greens, romaine lettuce, broccoli, zucchini, corn, garden peas and Brussels sprouts. – (Reuters Health)

Read more:
Spinach packs a healthy punch
Low GI diet could protect eyes
 

Print this article on

Rate this article Poor 1 2 3 4 5 Excellent

JOBS

Senior Secretary Gauteng - North/Sandton Infrastructure Resource Gauteng - Johannesburg Management Accountant R450,000-500,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Gauteng - Johannesburg Financial Manager R350,000-400,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Gauteng - Johannesburg Financial and Project Accountant R300,000-360,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Gauteng - Johannesburg Financial Accountant R380,000-420,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Gauteng - Johannesburg SSIS Business Intelligence Specialists (SSIS; SSAS) R350,000-500,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Gauteng - North/Sandton Financial Accountant R350,000-450,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Gauteng - South Find more jobs Register your CV Post a job