Guest guest Posted January 14, 2004 Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 Mon, 12 Jan 2004 08:45:28 -0500 HSI - Jenny Thompson Eye To The Future Eye To The Future Health Sciences Institute e-Alert January 12, 2004 ************************************************************** Dear Reader, If you've already received that special " You've turned 50 " invitation from AARP - or if you're approaching that birthday - you're probably already giving more thought to your vision health. And it's not a moment too soon. According to research from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS; a major, ongoing clinical trial sponsored by the National Eye Institute), more than 8 million Americans over the age of 55 are at high risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) - one of the most pervasive vision problems that affect us as we grow older. As I've told you in previous e-Alerts, there are simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of AMD. And now a new study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology demonstrates how those who experience early symptoms of AMD can make dietary changes that may substantially reduce the risk of progressing to an advanced stage of the disease. ----------------------------- Piece of cake ----------------------------- Previous research has shown that an intake of certain types of fat may create an AMD risk factor. So researchers at Harvard Medical School devised a dietary study in association with the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. More than 260 participants over the age of 60 were recruited for the study, and each had been diagnosed with symptoms of AMD. Using weekly food frequency questionnaires, the researchers followed the dietary habits of the subjects for an average of more than four and a half years. At the end of the study period, the Harvard team found a clear association between higher levels of fat intake and an elevated risk of progression to advanced AMD. This was especially so with vegetable fat, as opposed to a lesser degree with animal fat. Processed baked products (containing saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and transunsaturated fats) were singled out as the worst food type, creating twice the risk of advanced AMD when compared to those who rarely ate such foods. In the plus column, the researchers found two foods that may reduce the risk of advancing AMD: nuts and fish. In their conclusion, the researchers wrote, " Since advanced AMD is associated with visual loss and reduced quality of life, these preventive measures deserve additional research and greater emphasis. " ----------------------------- I'll have the fish ----------------------------- The news that a diet that includes fish may provide protection against AMD development isn't news to long-time e-Alert readers. In the e-Alert " Rockets' Red Glare " (7/1/03) I told you about an AREDS research project that examined the dietary information of more than 4,500 subjects at risk of AMD. In that study, omega-3 fatty acid consumption through fish intake once or twice each week was shown to reduce the chances of developing " wet AMD " (the most damaging type of the disease) by about one-third. Subjects who consumed more than two weekly fish servings cut their chances of wet AMD in half. Coincidentally, in 2002, William Campbell Douglass, M.D., quoted Johanna Seddon, M.D., (who happens to be the lead author of the recent Harvard study) as saying, " Eat fish, not fat. Eat fish two or more times a week. " Dr. Douglass also points out that the retina (the back of the inner surface of the eye chamber) contains large amounts of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), believed to be essential to good vision. And because fish is rich in DHA, the assumption is that eating fish will contribute to improved vision. So to provide some insurance against the risk of age-related vision disorders (and to keep from joining the millions who already have advanced stages of AMD), you may do well to add a few servings of baked or broiled fish to your menu each week, and then try to reduce the intake of processed baked goods to zero. ************************************************************** To start receiving your own copy of the HSI e-Alert, visit: http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ealert/freecopy.html Or forward this e-mail to a friend so they can sign-up to receive their own copy of the HSI e-Alert. ************************************************************** ... and another thing Theory and practice are often miles apart. In the e-Alert " Cup of Good Cheer " (12/24/03), I told you how the resveratrol content of grapes may reduce cardiovascular and cancer risks, and minimize brain damage after a stroke. But while all grapes are created equal, not all of them are grown with care, according to this e-mail I received from an HSI member named Thomas: " Grapes are very dangerous to eat unless you can find organic ones, they are out there but very expensive. The grape growers use more pesticides and other poisons than any other food growing industry. It is common knowledge that the migrants and their families who work in this industry are suffering irreversible damage to their bodies and dying from the chemicals that are sprayed on the grapes. When they are harvested, sent to market, and the consumer takes them home and cleans them by rinsing or soaking them - this does not remove all of the poison. No one knows what the long-term health effects are for people who consume grapes. Until the grape growers clean up their act no one should eat them and especially not give them to their children. " Thomas says that he contacted a well-known grape juice producer to ask if the company's products contained insecticide residue. They responded with information about where the grapes are grown, but no mention of insecticide. And Thomas adds, " You will find the same problem with wines, unless they are organic. " So in theory, grapes and grape products may be very healthy for you. But in practice, you might need to be choosy about your source of grapes in order to enjoy all the benefits without a dose of unwanted toxins. To Your Good Health, Jenny Thompson Health Sciences Institute ************************************************************** Sources: " Progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Association With Dietary Fat, Transunsaturated Fat, Nuts, and Fish Intake " Archives of Ophthalmology, v. 121, no. 12, December 2003, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov " High-Fat Diet May Speed Up AMD " NutraIngredients.com, 12/9/03, nutraingredients.com " Vision Improved When the Chips are Down " William Campbell Douglass II, M.D., Daily Dose, 10/8/02, realhealthnews.com Copyright ©1997-2004 by www.hsibaltimore.com, L.L.C. The e-Alert may not be posted on commercial sites without written permission. ************************************************************** Before you hit reply to send us a question or request, please visit here http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ealert/questions.html ************************************************************** If you'd like to participate in the HSI Forum, search past e-Alerts and products or you're an HSI member and would like to search past articles, visit http://www.hsibaltimore.com ************************************************************** Hotjobs: Enter the " Signing Bonus " Sweepstakes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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