May/June 2006
HEALTH BYTES

Antioxidants reduce risk of macular degeneration

A recent report found that people who diets include high levels of certain antioxidants have a significantly lower risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of blindness in the developed world. In the study of 4,176 men and women at risk of developing macular degeneration, researchers found that people whose diets were the highest in beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc had a 35 percent lower risk of developing macular degeneration, compared to people who had a reduced intake of at least one of these nutrients. When researchers analyzed the combined effect of antioxidants from supplements and food, a similar effect was found.

Journal of the American Medical Association, January 2006