Fish Oil May Help Save Your Eyes
Not Smoking May Also Help Avoid Age-Related Macular Degeneration
When it comes to reducing AMD risk, striking the right fatty acid balance might be important, note Seddon and colleagues.
In their study, the reduced AMD risk was mainly seen in people who consumed high levels of omega-3 fatty acids and low levels of an omega-6 fatty acid called linoleic acid, which is found in vegetable oils including corn, safflower, and sunflower.
Seddon and colleagues aren't against omega-6 fatty acids. But they note that a lot of people consume way too much omega-6 fatty acids, compared with omega-3 fatty acids.
"The ideal omega-6/omega-3 ratio is 3:1 to 4:1," Seddon's team writes.
"However, the average American's diet has an omega-6/omega-3 ratio that ranges from 10:1 to 50:1 ... Our results suggest that when our diet is rich in these omega-6 fatty acids (as measured here by linoleic acid), the protective effect of omega-3 fatty acids is dampened."
Chua's Australian study couldn't confirm those results.
The studies don't prove that not smoking or eating fish prevented AMD.
Both studies were purely observational; participants weren't asked to quit smokingquit smoking or change their diets. The studies also don't specify what type of fish participants ate, or how the fish was prepared.
Still, the results held after adjusting for other AMD risk factors.
Inflammation might partly explain the results, the researchers note. They point out that smoking boosts inflammation, while omega-3 fats reduce inflammation.
Fish Oil May Help Save Your Eyes
Not Smoking May Also Help Avoid Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Fatty Acid Balance
When it comes to reducing AMD risk, striking the right fatty acid balance might be important, note Seddon and colleagues.
In their study, the reduced AMD risk was mainly seen in people who consumed high levels of omega-3 fatty acids and low levels of an omega-6 fatty acid called linoleic acid, which is found in vegetable oils including corn, safflower, and sunflower.
Seddon and colleagues aren't against omega-6 fatty acids. But they note that a lot of people consume way too much omega-6 fatty acids, compared with omega-3 fatty acids.
"The ideal omega-6/omega-3 ratio is 3:1 to 4:1," Seddon's team writes.
"However, the average American's diet has an omega-6/omega-3 ratio that ranges from 10:1 to 50:1 ... Our results suggest that when our diet is rich in these omega-6 fatty acids (as measured here by linoleic acid), the protective effect of omega-3 fatty acids is dampened."
Chua's Australian study couldn't confirm those results.
Study's Limits
The studies don't prove that not smoking or eating fish prevented AMD.
Both studies were purely observational; participants weren't asked to quit smokingquit smoking or change their diets. The studies also don't specify what type of fish participants ate, or how the fish was prepared.
Still, the results held after adjusting for other AMD risk factors.
Inflammation might partly explain the results, the researchers note. They point out that smoking boosts inflammation, while omega-3 fats reduce inflammation.
Source...