Sugar junkies more likely to get macular degeneration

The admonition that "we are what we eat" has been repeated down through the years. What we eat can protect us from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) as well. A recent study finds that a regular diet of both protective nutrients and foods with a low-glycemic index can prevent AMD. The powerhouse nutrients which were found to provide the most protection are vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, and DHA. These nutrients in combination with the "slow carb" diet seemed to lower the risk of developing AMD in those who participated in the study. Researchers examined the diet and other data of more than 4,000 women and men, aged 55 to 80 who were participants in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). The intake of several nutrients was ranked and then a compound score was calculated to estimate their dietary effect on AMD. Associations between individual and combined dietary nutrients were evaluated through the scoring system as well.* Andrea Schumann Staff Writer