November 18, 2009 – A diet high in saturated fat – and in the omega-6 group – is associated with a higher risk of suffering from macular degeneration, says a recent study1 American.
According to the results, women under 75 who consumed the greatest amounts of fat saw their risk of suffering from this disease increase by about 70%. Conversely, a large intake of monounsaturated fat (mainly olive oil) would have a protective effect.
It has been shown in other studies that the consumption of omega-3 type fats would protect against macular degeneration. The researchers of the present study, however, noticed that the intake of omega-3 was accompanied by significant amounts of omega-6 (especially provided by margarine, mayonnaise and trans fats), as is often the case. in North America. The pro-inflammatory effects of omega-6s could then prevail, according to the researchers, over the protective effects of omega-3s.
The authors of the study also noticed that a diet rich in fatty substances was associated with a diet generally depleted in certain antioxidant nutrients which would have a protective effect against macular degeneration.
Dietary fat intake had no effect in those 75 and older. This result could be explained by the higher number of cases of degeneration in this age group, the effects of aging then taking precedence over dietary fat intake, the researchers explain.
The study was conducted among 1787 women aged 50 to 79 years followed over a period of 3 years. The researchers compared the data collected on the participants’ dietary intake and the incidence of intermediate or advanced macular degeneration diagnosed during the study.
Aside from aging, the most important risk factors for macular degeneration are a family history of the disease, smoking, and cardiovascular disorders (including associated risk factors, including hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and obesity).
Pierre Lefrançois – PasseportSanté.net
According to Reuters Health.
1. Parekh N, Voland RP, et al; CAREDS Research Study Group. Association between dietary fat intake and age-related macular degeneration in the Carotenoids in Age-Related Eye Disease Study (CAREDS): an ancillary study of the Women’s Health Initiative. Arch Ophthalmol. 2009 Nov; 127 (11): 1483-93.
