Vegan Health News - August 21 2006
Yellow vegies 'help fight blindness'
|
PIGMENTS in pumpkin and corn may help stop women from losing their eyesight, a study has found.
US researchers have shown that yellow plant pigments play a role in protecting people from developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
The eye disease is one of the leading causes of blindness in elderly people, but there is no cure and only limited treatment options are available to slow its progression.
For several years, scientists have suspected the condition - caused by the deterioration of the back of the retina - had links to diet.
In particular, it has been suggested that the pigments lutein and zeaxanthin, found in corn, pumpkin, egg yolks, and some leafy green vegetables, are beneficial.
Known as carotenoids, these compounds may reduce the risk of AMD by absorbing blue light that could damage the back of the retina.
Investigating this link, scientists at the University of Wisconsin assessed the effects of the two pigments in the diet of 1787 American women aged 50 to 79.
Blood samples and colour photographs of the retina proved that women aged under 75 were less likely to have intermediate-stage AMD if they'd had a diet high in these pigments.
However, there was only a weak association between the pigments and advanced-stage AMD.
The authors, writing in the latest Archives of Ophthalmology journal, said many nutrients may work together to provide protection against AMD.
But the study may not have measured other dietary deficits that influence risk.
"This exploratory observation is consistent with a broad body of evidence from observational and experimental studies that suggests that these carotenoids may protect against AMD," they said.
They called for more conclusive evidence from long-term prospective studies and clinical trials to get a better indication of the link.
Ophthalmologist Robyn Guymer, from the Centre for Eye Research Australia, welcomed the findings but said it is disappointing they did not prove a stronger association between vegetables and AMD.
Another larger study recently launched in the US was expected to shed more light on the subject, Professor Guymer said.
Reference: The Sunday Telegraph.
