Certain Dietary Nutrients Reduce the Risk of Eye Affliction/Retinopathy in Individuals with Diabetes: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2003–2018

Abstract

As the global trend of diabetes intensifies, the burden of vision-threatening retinopathy, particularly diabetic retinopathy (DR), is increasing. There is an urgent need to seek strategies for early prevention and control of DR. This study attempted to comprehensively evaluate the relationship between dietary nutrient intake and the risk of DR to provide assistance for doctors in guiding the diet of diabetic patients. Data from eligible participants with diabetes from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2003–2018 were analyzed. Univariate logistic regression was used to assess the association between 58 dietary nutrient intakes and self-reported eye disease risk. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to further evaluate the relationship between the two groups after adjusting relevant confounding factors. A total of 4595 diabetic patients were included. People with self-reported eye affliction/retinopathy had lower dietary fiber, butanoic, octanoic, vitamin A, alpha-carotene, folate, magnesium, copper and caffeine intake compared to those without self-reported eye affliction/retinopathy. The pooled ORs (95% CIs) were 0.78 (0.62–0.98), 0.79 (0.63–0.99), 0.72 (0.58–0.91), 0.74 (0.59–0.93), 0.70 (0.55–0.88), 075 (0.60–0.95), 0.79 (0.64–0.99), 0.67 (0.54–0.84) and 0.80 (0.64–0.99). Dietary cholesterol and hexadecenoic intake were higher, with the pooled ORs (95% CIs) of 1.26 (1.01–1.58) and 1.27 (1.02–1.59), respectively. Our research found that among dietary nutrients, dietary fiber, butanoic, octanoic, vitamin A, alpha-carotene, folate, magnesium, copper and caffeine intake reduced the occurrence of DR. Cholesterol and hexadecenoic intake promoted the occurrence of DR. This suggests that certain dietary nutrients should be paid more attention in the prevention of DR.

The Role of Copper Intake in the Development and Management of Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review

“…Four cross-sectional studies were included in this systematic review. Zhang et al used the NHANES database to conduct a cross-sectional study about the association between copper intake and the risk of diabetes nephropathy [ 20 ]. There were no significant differences between either group in term of hypertension or lipid profile.…”

“…There were no significant differences between either group in term of hypertension or lipid profile. The study showed that as the intake of copper increases, the risk for diabetes nephropathy decreases, with a pooled odds ratio of 0.67 (95% CI: 0.54–0.84) [ 20 ]. A second cross-sectional study by Tan et al into 128 overweight and obese Malaysian adults tested the association between dietary copper intake and insulin resistance [ 21 ].…”

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of an Anthocyanin-Rich Functional Ingredient on Cognitive Function and Eye Dryness in Late Adulthood Volunteers: Roles of Epigenetic and Gut Microbiome Modulations

“…However, further studies are required to confirm this proposal for identifying a precise understanding regarding this point. Furthermore, dietary fiber presented in the functional soup may also play a role [ 20 , 21 ].…”

“…Dietary fiber intake, particularly soluble fiber, decreases the risk of dementia [ 19 ]. Dietary fiber improves not only cognition but also eye health [ 20 , 21 ]. It has been demonstrated that dietary fiber modulates the gut microbiome giving rise to the improvement of cognition, and eye dryness [ 17 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ].…”

Effect of High Sucrose Diet on the Occurrence and Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy and Dietary Modification Strategies

“…Dietary fiber manifests an inhibitory impact on the kinetics of monosaccharides and fatty acid digestion and absorption, impeding their prompt assimilation, thereby reducing calorie absorption [181]. The utilization of this therapeutic approach demonstrated a reduction in the likelihood of DR [182]and has a protective effect against existing cases [99]. Investigations have elucidated that individuals with low dietary fiber intake have a higher risk of vision-threatening DR [183].…”