Healthy Diet and Exercise May Reduce the Risk of AMD

According to a study published in December, 2010 issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology, healthy eating habits and exercise may reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration.

Investigators used data from the Carotenoids in Age-Related Eye Disease Study (CAREDS), part of the 1994-98 Women's Health Initiative Observation Study. The study included 1313 participants 55-74 years in age.

Requirements for a healthy diet included daily 3.5 servings of fruits and vegetables, 2.3 servings of dairy, 2.7 ounces of meat, poultry, fish, beans, or eggs, and 3.5 servings of grain, including one whole-grain item.

Presence of AMD was determined by fundus photographs, on average 6 years later.

Results

1. Women with highest quintile Healthy Eating Index had 46% reduction in the odds for early AMD.
2. Women in the highest quintile for physical activity demonstrated a 2-fold decrease in the odds for early AMD
3. Nonsmokers who ate the healthiest diets and were the most physically active (5% of the participants) reduced their odds for AMD by 71% compared to those with high risk scores.

Conclusion:

Adopting healthy diet and regular physical activity may markedly lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration.