AUSTRALIA: More Fish, Less Tobacco Can Lower Risk Of Blindness

SYDNEY, Australia (AHN), August 10, 2006: Two new studies suggest ways to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration or A.M.D. A.M.D is the main cause of blindness in the elderly. It affects the macula, which is the part of the eye that allows one to see detail. This disease makes the vision less and less clear and eventually results in blindness. A study carried out by researchers at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary has found that cigarette-smoking doubles the chances for A.M.D. The study and the findings are published in the Archives of Ophthalmology. The study was done in men with twin brothers - seven hundred individuals in total. The average age of these men was seventy-five. Questions were asked regarding the men's diet, history of cigarette smoking, alcohol intake, as well as physical activity. Some of the e men included in the study were already patients with age-related macular degeneration. The study concluded that the men who ate more fish, even those who smoked cigarettes, were less prone to develop A.M.D. those who ate more than to meals a week containing fish were considered least likely to succumb to A.M.D. A second study confirmed that individuals who consumed at least one meal containing fish a week were 40 percent likely to develop A.M.D. Researchers at the University of Sydney, Australia interviewed more than 3000 subjects. Each individual was 49 or older. They were asked questions regarding their diet and medical history and then tested for the disease five years later. Although both studies remain to be repeated, they do reveal a possible link between eating fish and preventing ate-related macular degeneration. Researchers indicated that the best types of fish to eat were those that contained high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, such as mackerel and salmon. However, supplements like fish oil, flax seeds and walnuts also contain these nutrients. By Jacob Cherian Copyright © All Headline News - All rights reserved. Source: Archives of Ophthalmology, August 2006 © 2006 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.