New findings reveal that consuming more than 12 grams of alcohol per day (less than one pint of wine or pint of beer)one) is linked to a higher risk of developing irreversible vision loss.
More than 1.5 million Australians are affected by age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss in the country. Two-thirds of Australian optometrists regularly discuss the impact of diet on eye disease and 91% routinely recommend nutritional supplements to AMD patients.2There are currently no official guidelines regarding nutritional recommendations.
With 1 in 7 Australians aged over 50 having some evidence of AMD, the Macular Disease Foundation of Australia has partnered with the University of Sydney to tackle the common chronic condition in the first systematic review of all published systematic reviews – informing the highest level of clinical and public health decisions. Providing evidence that will inform.
Evidence from the review, which explored alcohol consumption, dietary patterns, foods and nutritional supplements to prevent and/or slow the progression of AMD, informed new Dietary Guidelines published today as part of Macula Month (May).
MDFA Patron Ita Buttrose AC OBE said: “My father had age-related macular degeneration and lost his central vision. Given that I have a familial risk of developing the disease, I have long been incredibly conscious about my food choices, so much so that in 2009 I co-authored the Vanessa Jones Eating for Eye Health: The Macular Degeneration Cookbook.3 highlighting how foods can improve eye health and reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration.
“The Australian Macular Disease Foundation’s new Dietary Guidelines reinforce with evidence the importance of making the best dietary choices to help protect eye health. They are an invaluable resource for people and communities,” he said.
The Macular Disease Foundation’s review found that consuming more than 12 grams of alcohol per day (which is just over a standard drink) has a detrimental effect on AMD, possibly increasing people’s risk of developing early AMD. High consumption of meat, especially red and processed meat, also puts people at risk.
Excessive alcohol intake can contribute to oxidative stress and inflammation in the body; these are believed to be underlying factors in the development and progression of AMD.
“We know that cutting down on alcohol has many benefits, including reducing the risk of liver disease, high blood pressure and some types of cancer, as well as positive effects such as improving mood, maintaining a healthy weight and saving money,” says Macular CEO. Disease Foundation Australia and former nutritionist Dr. Kathy Chapman.
“But what our review tells us, and what many people don’t realize, is the significant benefits of drinking less alcohol on preserving healthy eyes and reducing the risk of developing or progressing AMD.”
The review also found that although there has long been extensive evidence that certain foods protect against AMD, these may not be as important as people’s eating habits.
“In reality, nutrition is about long-term overall nutrition,” says Dr Chapman.
“The concept of ‘food synergy’ – the combined impact of everything you eat and drink on overall health – is an important message for people to remember. “The guidelines also reaffirm the importance of consuming fish, which contain omega-3 fatty acids, and recommend people aim to eat fish at least twice a week.”
A new finding from the Macular Disease Foundation was that strict adherence to the Mediterranean diet is likely associated with a lower risk of early AMD and delayed progression to late AMD. Similarly, an Asian diet (defined as a high intake of vegetables, fish, and plant-based proteins in the traditional diet of Japan and Southeast Asia) likely reduces the risk of developing late-stage AMD.
“Research has shown that inflammation plays a role in the development of AMD, with ocular tissues vulnerable to oxidative stress,” says Dr Chapman.
“Adhering to a Mediterranean diet is linked to lower levels of oxidative stress biomarkers in the blood. This may be due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties found in vegetables, fruits, and fish. Research consistently suggests that a Western diet is linked to higher inflammation in the body, which explains why the Western diet is associated with AMD.” may explain that it is associated with an increased risk of development.
“I encourage people to download our new Dietary Guidelines and sign up to receive our latest Macula Menu, which includes new recipes that reflect the new guidelines.”
1 https://www.health.gov.au/topics/alcohol/about-alcohol/standard-drinks-guide.
2 Downie, LE, Keller, PR, Reported clinical practice behaviors of Australian optometrists in relation to smoking, diet and nutritional supplementation. PLOS ONE. 2015;10(4):e0124533. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0124533.
3 Eating for Eye Health: The Macular Degeneration Cookbook (2009) by Ita Buttrose and Vanessa Jones.