Dr. Grossman’s Blog

AMD associated with higher Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference, and Waist-Hip Ratio

People with early or intermediate stages of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) make up a large and growing segment the elderly population.

Researchers interested in identifying preventative measures to help this group lessen their risk of advanced AMD conducted a survey of 261 participants from a hospital-based retinal practice.  Participants were aged 60 years or older, with some sign of nonadvanced AMD and visual acuity of 20/200 or better in at least 1 eye.

The results of the study showed that obesity (measured in body mass index) greatly increases the risk for progression to the advanced forms of AMD. 

In addition:

• Higher waist circumference was associated with a 2-fold increased risk for progression, with a significant trend for increasing risk with a greater waist circumference
• Higher waist-hip ratio also increased the risk for progression
• More physical activity tended to be associated with a reduced rate of progression (25% reduction for 3 times per week vigorous activity compared with no activity)

Study authors believe that the results provide new information regarding modifiable factors for individuals with the early or intermediate stages of this disease.  Although overall and abdominal obesity increased the risk for progression to advanced AMD, increasing physical activity tended to decrease risk.

Learn other natural preventative measures to lesson your risk of AMD

SOURCE:  Progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Seddon, et al, Arch Ophthalmol. 2003;121:785-792

Researchers with the Hordaland Health Study reviewed the relationship between consumption of different amounts of fish (and fish products) and cognitive performance.

In this study, 2031 subjects in Norway aged 70 to 74 underwent a battery of six cognitive tests and completed food-frequency questionnaires that identified both the quantity and the type of fish consumed in their diet. Researchers then studied the associations between cognitive performance and the main types of consumed seafood, i.e., fatty fish, lean fish, processed fish, fish sandwich, and fish or cod liver oil.

They found that fish eaters had significantly better results on all cognitive tests than did the non-consumers, even after adjustment for several non-nutritional factors with a proven association with cognition (e.g., education levels).

The protective effect of eating fish and fish products extended to almost all of the tested cognitive abilities. In addition, the associations between fish and fish product intake and cognition were dose-dependent: those who ate greater amounts of fish showed better test results.

The researchers also observed that the results depend on the type of fish consumed: the effect was more pronounced for non-processed lean fish and fatty fish.

Read other studies that link fish consumption to improved eye health

Learn more about natural fish oil products

SOURCE: “Cognitive performance among the elderly and dietary fish intake: the Hordaland Health Study”, Nurk, et. al., Am J Clin Nutr; 86:1470-1478 (November 2007).