[PHNUTR-L] Intake of Carotenoids, Antioxidants May Reduce the Risk of Early Age-Related Maculopathy

[Kathrynne Holden]

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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," Morris MS, Jacques PF, et al, 
Ophthalmic Epidemiol, 2007; 14(5): 288-98. (Address: Jean Mayer U.S. 
Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at 
Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA. E-mail: 
martha.morris at tufts.edu ).
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.
-- 
Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD < fivestar at nutritionucanlivewith.com >
"Ask the Parkinson Dietitian"  http://www.parkinson.org/
"Eat well, stay well with Parkinson's disease"
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