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Lee Swanson Research Update
Antioxidants and Carotenoids Linked to AMD Improvements
April 2008
Antioxidant and carotenoid supplements may improve retinal health in people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a study published in the journal Ophthalmology.
A combination of vitamins C and E, zinc, copper, lutein, zeaxanthin and Astaxanthin was found to improve the function of the central retina among 27 people with non-advanced AMD.
AMD is a degenerative disease that causes central vision loss and leaves only peripheral vision. Early detection is cited as a means of prevention so that treatment or rehabilitation can be undertaken early enough. However, links to diet have also been underscored. Approximately 25 to 30 million people worldwide are affected by AMD.
Parisi, from the Fondazione G.B. Bietti-Istituto di Ricovera e Cura a Carattere Scientifico in Rome and co-workers from the University of Padova, recruited 27 people with non-advanced AMD (average age 69.6) and randomly assigned them to receive daily antioxidant supplements (15 subjects) or placebo (12 subjects) for 12 months.
The daily antioxidant and carotenoid supplements provided 180 mg vitamin C, 30 mg vitamin E, 22.5 mg zinc, 1 mg copper, 10 mg lutein, 1 mg zeaxanthin and 4 mg Astaxanthin.
The researchers report that people in the antioxidant/carotenoid supplement group showed improvements in the function of the central retina (zero to five degrees), while no improvements were observed in the peripheral retina (five to 20 degrees).
"In non-advanced AMD eyes, a selective dysfunction in the central retina can be improved by the supplementation with carotenoids and antioxidants," stated the researchers.
Previous studies have reported a link between AMD and lutein and zeaxanthin, found in leafy green vegetables, corn, egg yolks, squash, broccoli and peas. The carotenoids supposedly reduce the risk of AMD by absorbing blue light that could damage the macula, preventing free radicals from damaging eye cells and strengthening eye cell membranes.
Ophthalmology 115(2):324-333, 2008
