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Lutein/Zeaxanthin and AMD Risk

Lutein and zeaxanthin are the only carotenoids that concentrate in the macula. There is evidence of three mechanisms by which lutein and zeaxanthin may afford protection against AMD: by absorbing blue light, by quenching free radicals and by increasing membrane stability.

Many previously published studies which have examined the relationship between AMD and these carotenoids have reported an inverse association between the disease and intake of lutein plus zeaxanthin. These carotenoids are commonly obtained from leafy green vegetables, corn, egg yolks, broccoli, peas, squash - as well as from supplements.

The authors of the Carotenoids in Age-Related Eye Disease Study (CAREDS) now report that a stable intake of these carotenoids over time could reduce the risk of AMD by about 43% in healthy women under 75.

Design and Methods

CAREDS is an ancillary study of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), a prospective cohort study. CAREDS was designed, in part, to evaluate the relationship between lutein/zeaxanthin and the prevalence of intermediate AMD. Over 1780 women aged 50-79 who had high or low intake of lutein plus zeaxanthin at WHI enrollment were recruited into CAREDS 4-7 years later, when the presence of AMD was determined by fundus photographs.

To maximize extremes in intake of these carotenoids in the study sample, women with intakes of lutein plus zeaxanthin above the 78th (high) and below the 28th (low) percentiles at baseline in the WHI were recruited. Dietary assessments were performed by means of food frequency questionnaires administered at the study's start and over the previous 15 years. Logistic regression analyses examined the prevalence of AMD, after accounting for potential covariates.

Results

While an association between dietary intake of these carotenoids and AMD was not observed in the overall study population, secondary analyses disclosed a statistically significant protective effect in women younger than 75 with stable intakes of lutein and zeaxanthin.

Higher intakes of lutein/zeaxanthin (2,868 mcg or more daily) compared to lower consumption (792 mcg daily) in women with stable intakes resulted in a substantial 43% lower risk of intermediate AMD (odds ratios [0.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.34-0.95]). The younger women (< 75 years) did not have a history of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes that are often associated with diet changes and instable intakes of lutein/zeaxanthin rich foods.

Similar protective associations were observed for large drusen. While not statistically significant, associations in this sub-sample were in the protective direction for the more advanced lesions of pigmentary abnormalities, as well as for the exploratory outcome, advanced AMD.

The researchers observed the strongest inverse associations between intermediate AMD and high intake of vegetables in general, as well as of green vegetables. Blood levels of the carotenoids were not associated with risk of AMD.

Comments

According to lead author Dr. Suzen Moeller of the University of Wisconsin, the findings are consistent with a broad body of evidence from observational and experimental studies suggesting that these carotenoids may protect against AMD. There was evidence that diet instability may have biased the associations and, together with the possibility of selective mortality bias, may explain our inability to detect the hypothesized association in the full study population, wrote Dr Moeller.

Reference
Moeller SM et al. Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Lutein and Zeaxanthin in the Carotenoids in Age-Related Eye Disease Study (CAREDS). Archives of Ophthalmology 124:1151-1162, 2006.