Role of diet and food intake in age‐related macular degeneration: a systematic review

Abstract

A systematic literature review was conducted to evaluate the role of diet and food intake in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Eighteen high-quality studies were identified. Adherence to a Mediterranean diet had decreased risk of AMD progression. An Oriental diet pattern had decreased association with AMD prevalence, whereas a Western diet pattern had increased association with AMD prevalence. High consumption of vegetables rich in carotenoids and fatty fish containing omega-3 fatty acids was beneficial for those at risk of AMD. Vegetable oils and animal fats containing omega-6 fatty acids, and red/processed meat should be consumed minimally to reduce the risk of AMD progression. High glycaemic index diets and alcohol consumption of greater than two drinks a day had increased association with AMD. As the quality of diet and food intake had a vital role in AMD, the provision of appropriate nutritional advice to those at risk of AMD is recommended.

Retinal pigment epithelium and age‐related macular degeneration: A review of major disease mechanisms

“…Clinical trials to modulate the complement system have had minimal therapeutic benefits 38,39 . It is also likely that several widely accepted disease causing factors such as smoking and a western diet high in saturated fats could still lead to disease progression in those who are genetically predisposed 117 . Since AMD is a multifactorial disease, with potentially more than one pathological mechanism, it is likely that intervention may need to be multifaceted.…”

Dietary and Lifestyle Factors Modulate the Activity of the Endogenous Antioxidant System in Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Correlations with Disease Severity

“…At the molecular level, various risk factors for AMD share a common denominator, oxidative stress, which is thought to be the main component of AMD pathology [ 27 , 43 ]. In fact, manipulations of dietary and lifestyle habits, which are thought to contribute to the tight balance of the endogenous antioxidant system, might be beneficial in preventing and/or slowing the progression of AMD [ 11 ]. Thus, in the present study, we aimed to investigate the role of antioxidant components in AMD and to assess whether dietary and lifestyle factors modulate the levels of those endogenous antioxidants and clinical parameters of disease severity.…”

“…We modified a quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) to assess the intake of the following food groups rich in nutrients considered important in the AMD aetiology and oxidative processes to evaluate the participants’ dietary habits: fatty fish, eggs, green vegetables, fruit and fruit juice, omega-3-rich oils, simple and complex carbohydrates, as recommended previously [ 11 , 13 , 33 , 34 ]. Three different frequencies in terms of portions per week were available for selection for each food type and alcoholic drink as follows: fatty fish: <1, 2–4, and >4; eggs: <1, 2–4, and >4; green vegetables: <2, 2–7, and >7; fruit and fruit juice: <2, 2–7, and >7; omega-3-rich oils: <2, 2–7, and >7; simple carbohydrates: <2, 2–7, and >7; complex carbohydrates: <2, 2–7, and >7; beer: 0, ≤1, and 2–7; wine: 0, <2, and 2–7; and vodka: 0, ≤1, and 2–3.…”

“…Based on research evidence, changes in a patient’s dietary habits and the addition of supplements represent a simple and cost-effective method for modifying the risk of developing and progression of AMD [ 10 ]. Several observational and experimental studies have been conducted in humans to investigate associations between dietary antioxidants, the consumption of certain foods and AMD [ 11 ], including Age Related Eye Disease Study 1 (AREDS1) [ 12 ]. Two of the most notable studies, AREDS1 and most recently AREDS2, have contributed to the supplementation strategy currently used in clinical practice [ 13 ].…”

A Critical Appraisal of National and International Clinical Practice Guidelines Reporting Nutritional Recommendations for Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Are Recommendations Evidence-Based?

“…A meta-analysis of prospective cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies concluded that consumption of two or more servings of oily fish per week was beneficial in the primary prevention of AMD [13]. Another recent systematic review reported that a high consumption of vegetables rich in carotenoids and oily fish containing omega-3 fatty acids was beneficial for those at risk of AMD [42]. However, emphasising the potential difference in nutritional benefit(s) derived from whole foods versus supplementation, consuming anti-oxidant supplements does not prevent the primary onset of AMD [16].…”