This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Mediterranean diet may have protective role in AMD, study finds
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
NICE, France — The Mediterranean diet, combined with physical exercise, might have a protective role in the development and progression of age-related macular degeneration, according to a Portuguese study.
The study, which was the first to specifically evaluate the role of the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle habits in AMD, was developed within the larger epidemiological AMD Coimbra Eye Study, a cross-sectional population-based study including subjects aged 55 years or older from two Portuguese populations, one from a coastal town and one from an inland town.
Cláudia Farinha
“In the inland population, 884 participants were selected and divided into two groups of approximately equal numbers, one with and one without AMD. They were invited to answer a food frequency questionnaire listing 86 food items and were inquired on lifestyle habits. Comorbidities and medications, body mass index and abdominal perimeter were also evaluated. The conversion of foods into nutrients was calculated using the Food Processor Plus computer program (ESHA Research), adapted to Portuguese food,” Cláudia Farinha, MD, said at the Euretina meeting here.
Significant differences regarding dietary profiles were found, she said. Participants without AMD significantly presented dietary habits compatible with the Mediterranean diet, consuming more fruit and vegetables, tea, chocolate, white meat, olive oil, pulses and wine. In terms of nutrients, this translated into a higher intake of total vitamins, vitamins C and E, beta-carotenes, fibers and caffeine. A high intake of fast food and ready-made meals, dairy products and meat was more frequent in subjects with AMD.
Subjects without AMD were also found to include significantly more physical exercise in their lifestyle habits.
“Our aim is now to extend our investigation to the coastal town so as to determine different dietary patterns and investigate their impact on AMD susceptibility,” Farinha said. – by Michela Cimberle
Disclosure: Farinha reports no relevant financial disclosures.