Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a major cause of blindness, is estimated to affect 9 million U.S. adults. Evidence from observational and epidemiologic studies suggest an inverse relation between regular dietary intake of fish and DHA and EPA and the risk of advanced AMD.
In a recent study published online in the Archives of Ophthalmology, researchers examined whether the intake of omega-3 fatty acids and fish affects the incidence of AMD in women.
A detailed food-frequency questionnaire was completed by 38,022 women at an average age of 54.6 years. All women were free of a diagnosis of AMD at the beginning of the trial. After an average of 10 years follow-up, 235 cases of AMD were confirmed.
Women in the highest third of intake of DHA, compared to those in the lowest, had a 38% decreased risk of AMD. Those with the highest third of intake of EPA had a 34% decrease risk of AMD. Similarly to intakes of individual omega-3 fatty acids, women who consumed 1 or more servings of fish per week had a 42% decreased risk in comparison to those who ate less than 1 serving per month.
The results from this prospective study from a large population of women indicate that regular consumption of fish and omega-3 fatty acids from fish (EPA and DHA) significantly reduces the risk of AMD. This is some of the strongest evidence to date that support a role for long-chain fatty omega-3 fatty acids in the primary prevention of AMD, and possibly a reduction in the number of people who ultimately have advanced AMD, potentially leading to blindness.
William G. Christen, ScD et al. Dietary omega Fatty Acid and Fish Intake and Incident Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Women. Arch Ophthalmol. Published online March 14, 2011. doi:10.1001/archophthalmol.2011.34
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