by New results show that more than 12g of alcohol is consumed per day (less than a large glass of wine or a large beer).1) is linked to a higher risk of developing irreversible vision loss.
More than 1.5 million Australians are affected by age-related macular degeneration (AMD) – the leading cause of sight loss in the country. While two-thirds of Australian optometrists regularly discuss the impact of diet on eye disease, 91% regularly recommend nutritional supplements to patients with AMD2there are currently no official guidelines for dietary advice.
With 1-in-7 Australians over the age of 50 showing some evidence of AMD, the Macular Disease Foundation of Australia has partnered with the University of Sydney to address the common chronic condition in the first systematic review of the systematic reviews to all published – the highest level. evidence to guide clinical and public health decisions.
Investigating alcohol consumption, dietary patterns, food and nutritional supplements to prevent and/or slow the progression of AMD, evidence from the review has informed its new Dietary Guidelines released today as part of Macula Month (May).
MDFA Patron Ita Buttrose AC OBE said: “My father had age-related macular degeneration and lost his central vision. As I have a family risk of developing the disease, I have long been very conscious of my food choices, so much so that in 2009 I co-authored with Vanessa Jones Eating for Eye Health: The Macular Degeneration Cookbook3 to highlight how foods can promote good eye health and reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration.”
“The new Dietary Guidelines from the Macular Disease Foundation of Australia reinforce the importance of making the best dietary choices to help maintain eye health. It is an invaluable resource for people and communities,” she said.
The Macular Disease Foundation review found that drinking more than 12g of alcohol a day – which is slightly more than one standard drink – has a harmful effect on AMD and is likely to increase the risk of developing early AMD. High consumption of meat, especially red and processed meat, also puts people at risk.
Excessive alcohol intake can increase oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, which are believed to be underlying factors in the development and progression of AMD.
“We know that cutting back on alcohol has many benefits, including reducing the risk of developing liver disease, high blood pressure, certain cancers, as well as positive effects such as mood boost, maintain a healthy weight and save money,” says the CEO of Macular. Disease Foundation of Australia and former nutritionist, Dr Kathy Chapman.
“But what our review tells us – and what many people don’t realize – is the significant benefits of drinking less alcohol for maintaining healthy eyes and reducing the risk of developing or developing AMD reduce lowering.”
The review also found that while there has long been extensive evidence that certain foods were protective against AMD, these may not be as important as people’s eating patterns.
“Really, nutrition is about the whole diet long term,” says Dr. Chapman.
“An important message for people to remember is the concept of ‘food synergy’, the combined effect of everything you eat and drink on overall health. The guidelines also confirm the importance of eating fish containing omega-3 fatty acids, and recommend that people aim to eat fish at least twice a week.”
A new finding for the Macular Disease Foundation was that close adherence to the Mediterranean diet was likely associated with a lower risk of early AMD and delayed progression to late AMD. Similarly, an Asian-style eating pattern (defined as a high intake of vegetables, fish and plant-based proteins in the traditional dietary pattern in Japan and southeast Asia) is likely to reduce the risk of late AMD. development.
“Research has shown that inflammation plays a role in the development of AMD because eye tissues are vulnerable to oxidative stress,” says Dr. Chapman.
“Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with lower levels of oxidative stress biomarkers in the blood. This may be due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties found in vegetables, fruits and fish. Although research consistently suggests that the Western diet is linked to higher inflammation in the body, this may explain why the Western diet was associated with an increased risk of developing AMD.
“I encourage people to download our new Nutritional Guidelines and sign up to receive our latest Macula Menu which includes new recipes that reflect the new guidelines.”
1 https://www.health.gov.au/topics/alcohol/about-alcohol/standard-drinks-guide.
2 Downie, LE, Keller, PR, Self-reported clinical practice behavior of Australian optometrists in relation to smoking, diet and nutritional supplementation. PLOS ONE. 2015; 10(4): 0124533. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0124533.
3 Eating for Eye Health : The Macular Degeneration Cookbook (2009) Ita Buttrose and Vanessa Jones.
