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Poor Diet Associated With Age-Related Macular
Degeneration Risk
Study offers more reasons to limit processed
foods, fatty meats and dairy
by Christina Ianzito,
AARP
Most
of us know that eating junk food, lots of red and processed meats, and
fat-packed dairy is bad for your heart, contributing to high cholesterol and
other health issues.
Researchers
at the University at Buffalo (UB) analyzed data from the Atherosclerosis Risk
in Communities Study (ARIC), in which some 4,000 participants ages 45 to 64
described their diets between 1987 and 1995.
They
were divided into two groups: “Western” (unhealthy) and “Prudent” (healthy).
They
found that people who regularly ate unhealthy foods were three times more
likely to develop late-stage AMD over the next 18 years.
The
findings were published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology last month.
Past
studies have found that eating junk food is associated with AMD.
What's new, says study senior author Amy Millen,
associate professor and associate chair of epidemiology and environmental
health at UB, is that while “most of the [previous] work has looked at diet
patterns and development of new disease, this is the first study to date in the
U.S. that has looked at the development of late AMD over time, looking at the
whole diet."
In other words, she adds, “This provides more solid
scientific evidence that it's not just a coincidence that people who have AMD
have worse diets. You can be more confident that, Yes, if I have early stages
of this disease and I eat a certain way, I might actually be able to prevent
losing my sight."
Because
it's easy to get discouraged when trying to dramatically change your diet,
Millen suggests taking small steps.
“Take a deep breath and just say, ‘OK, I'll eat less
red meat, eat less fatty foods.’ Try
to do that,” she says.
“Does that mean you can't ever eat them? No. Just try
to reduce your intake.”
And
if you need even more motivation, remind yourself that a healthier diet is
associated with a lower risk of a whole host of diseases, as is not smoking
(smoking is the largest modifiable risk factor for AMD).
Other
risk factors for AMD include age and family history.
AMD
causes damage to the part of the eye near the center of the retina called the
macula, which helps you see things clearly.
It
may come with symptoms such as blurry vision and, later, may cause vision loss.
But
the only way to detect early macular degeneration is through a dilated eye
exam, so experts recommend regular checkups for people over 40.
Bottom line, says Millen: “Don't forget your eyes.”
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age.
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age.
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