Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Zinc Reduce AMD Incidence

SYDNEY, AustraliaHigh intake of some antioxidants was associated with a reduced risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD); however, different nutrients affected different risk factors (Ophthalmology; ePub 2007 Jul 28). Data from 2,454 participants in the Blue Mountains Eye Study, a long-term Australian population-based cohort study, was reviewed by researchers from the University of Sydney to assess the relationship between baseline dietary and supplement intakes of antioxidants and risk of AMD. For dietary lutein and zeaxanthin, participants in the top tertile of intake had a reduced risk (RR) of incident neovascular AMD (RR 0.35), and those with above median intakes had a reduced risk of indistinct soft or reticular drusen (RR 0.66). For total zinc intake, subjects in the top decile of intake had half the risk of AMD compared to the rest of the population. The highest compared to the lowest tertile of total beta-carotene intake predicted incident neovascular AMD (RR 2.68), as did beta-carotene intake from diet alone (RR 2.40). High intake of total vitamin E predicted late AMD (RR 2.83 compared with lowest tertile). The researchers concluded high intake of lutein, zeaxanthin and zinc are protective against AMD, while high intake of beta-carotene may increase the risk.