03.01.10
Nutraceutical: Omega 3s
Indication: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
Source: Am J Clin Nutr, December 2009;90(6):1601-7.
Research: Omega 3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) affect processes implicated in vascular and neural retinal pathogenesis and thus may influence the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Researchers investigated whether omega 3 LCPUFA intake was associated with a reduced likelihood of developing central geographic atrophy (CGA) and neovascular (NV) AMD. Researchers undertook a nested cohort study within a multicenter phase 3 clinical trial—the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS)—to study progression to advanced AMD in 1837 persons at moderate-to-high risk of this condition. The AREDS was designed to assess the clinical course, prognosis, risk factors and nutrient-based treatments of AMD and ran from November 1992 to December 2005. Researchers obtained baseline data on omega 3 LCPUFA intake with a validated food frequency questionnaire.
Results: Participants who reported the highest omega 3 LCPUFA intake were 30% less likely than their peers to develop CGA and NV AMD. If these results are generalizable, researchers believe they may guide the development of low-cost and easily-implementable preventive interventions for progression to advanced AMD.
Indication: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
Source: Am J Clin Nutr, December 2009;90(6):1601-7.
Research: Omega 3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) affect processes implicated in vascular and neural retinal pathogenesis and thus may influence the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Researchers investigated whether omega 3 LCPUFA intake was associated with a reduced likelihood of developing central geographic atrophy (CGA) and neovascular (NV) AMD. Researchers undertook a nested cohort study within a multicenter phase 3 clinical trial—the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS)—to study progression to advanced AMD in 1837 persons at moderate-to-high risk of this condition. The AREDS was designed to assess the clinical course, prognosis, risk factors and nutrient-based treatments of AMD and ran from November 1992 to December 2005. Researchers obtained baseline data on omega 3 LCPUFA intake with a validated food frequency questionnaire.
Results: Participants who reported the highest omega 3 LCPUFA intake were 30% less likely than their peers to develop CGA and NV AMD. If these results are generalizable, researchers believe they may guide the development of low-cost and easily-implementable preventive interventions for progression to advanced AMD.