Eat More Fish!

In a study published in the July 12 (2010) journal of Ophthalmology, researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore analyzed data from 2,520 adults aged 65- to 84 who had eye exams and completed detailed dietary questionnaires. 15 percent of those in the study were identified as having early- or intermediate- stage Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), while less than 3 percent were in the advanced stage of the disease. AMD is the leading cause of blindness in senior Americans.

Researchers didn't find a clear link between fish consumption and the risk of AMD. However, they did find a connection between diet and the odds of advanced AMD. The subjects with advanced AMD were significantly less likely to consume fish/shellfish high in omega-3 fatty acids. Study participants who reported eating one or more servings of fatty fish each week were 60 percent less likely to have advanced AMD than those who averaged less than a serving a week!

Omega-3 rich seafood choices include salmon, mackerel, anchovies, and sardines. There are also good levels of omega-3 in halibut, pollock, shrimp, trout and tuna (including canned or packages of tuna fish). Tilapia and catfish, two very common items on seafood menus, unfortunately have very low levels of omega-3s.

Reference:

http://www.ophthal.org/ORJ/journal/ophthalmology.shtml

4: Ophthalmology. 2010 Jul 12; [Epub ahead of print]

The Impact of Fish and Shellfish Consumption on Age-Related Macular
Degeneration.

Swenor BK, Bressler S, Caulfield L, West SK.

Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.

PURPOSE: To determine the relationship between fish and shellfish consumption
and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) status in the Salisbury Eye
Evaluation (SEE) Study participants. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study of dietary
and ophthalmologic data. PARTICIPANTS: A random sample of 2520 Salisbury,
Maryland, residents aged 65 to 84 years. METHODS: A food frequency questionnaire
was used to estimate weekly fish/shellfish consumption for each participant.
Age-related macular degeneration status was determined from fundus photographs
obtained at baseline and graded by 2 masked readers for drusen size, retinal
pigment epithelium abnormalities, geographic atrophy (GA), and choroidal
neovascularization (CNV). The association between weekly fish/shellfish intake
and risk of AMD was investigated using logistic regression while adjusting for
risk factors and correlation between eyes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Status of AMD.
RESULTS: The distribution of weekly fish/shellfish consumption was not different
between specific AMD categories compared with controls (P = 0.6, 0.7, and 0.7
for large drusen, pigment abnormalities, and advanced AMD compared with
controls, respectively). Those with advanced AMD (CNV or GA) were significantly
less likely to consume fish/shellfish high in omega-3 fatty acids (odds ratio
0.4; confidence interval, 0.2-0.8). There was no relationship of AMD with intake
of crab and oysters combined, each of which has high levels of zinc.
CONCLUSIONS: These data support a protective effect of fish/shellfish intake
against advanced AMD. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial
disclosure may be found after the references. Copyright (c) 2010 American
Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.