Fish helps prevent AMD

Eating a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids seems to correlate with a low incidence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a study published in the June 2008 issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.

Elaine W-T. Chong, MBBS of the Centre for Eye Research Australia and colleagues reviewed seven databases, including randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies to establish whether omega-3 should be consumed to prevent the onset of AMD. The databases provided information on 88 974 subjects, of whom 3203 had AMD.

Subjects with a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids had a 38% reduced risk of late AMD. Twice-weekly consumption of fish was associated with a reduced risk of both early and late AMD.

The researchers concluded that a diet rich in omega-3 is associated with a reduced risk of AMD, but that the relationship has been insufficiently proven to advocate consumption of omega-3 as a prophylactic measure for AMD.