A healthy diet can almost halve the risk of eye disease
Eating two ounces of vegetables every day, two pieces of fruit and fish twice a week can almost halve the risk of the chronic eye disease 'age-related macular degeneration'. Even people who are genetically predisposed to the disease can lower the risk. This has emerged from research by the Rotterdam Erasmus Health Research (ERGO).
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic eye disease that causes patients to see a gray spot in the center of their field of vision. It is the leading cause of blindness among the elderly in the Western World. The risk of the disease increases with age. By the age of 70, about 15 percent of the elderly have the disease. With a diet high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, people can lower their risk of the disease later in life by up to 42 percent. Vitamin pills with lutein and zeaxanthin can also offer a solution.
The researchers followed 4.200 participants aged 55 and older from the Rotterdam Erasmus Health Research (ERGO) from the Ommoord district. The study shows that there are clear positive consequences after ten to fifteen years. Eat oily fish, such as mackerel, salmon, tuna or sardines, twice a week because of the omega-3 fatty acids. And every day 200 grams of fruit and 200 grams of vegetables. Eat mainly green leafy vegetables: spinach, lamb's lettuce and kale and red, orange and yellow vegetables and fruit, including peppers. These vegetables contain antioxidants called lutein and zeaxanthin. Your body makes macular pigment from it: a protective factor in your retina.
Parent researchers at Erasmus MC have calculated that the number of older people with AMD in Europe will rise to 2040 million in 20 due to the aging population. In the Netherlands, this will be about 700.000 people. With the help of an international team, they discovered genes that are involved in the development of this eye disease. With the help of these genes and environmental factors, such as smoking, it is possible to predict who will and will not get the disease. The researchers expect to launch a test on the market soon.
Source: Erasmus MC university medical center in Rotterdam