Feb
25
2009
A team of Harvard researchers found that women who took a combination of folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 had a 35% to 40% lower risk of developing age related macular degeneration (AMD) than women who took a placebo.
A group of 5442 female health care professionals 40 years or older (of whom 5205 did not have a diagnosis of AMD at the beginning of the study) received either a combination of folic acid/B6/B12 or a placebo.
After more than seven years of treatment and follow-up, 137 women were diagnosed with AMD. Of these 137:
- 55 had been taking the supplements; 82 had been taking the placebo.
- 70 had ‘visually significant AMD’, including 26 who had been taking the supplements and 44 who had been taking the placebo.
Researchers concluded that daily supplementation with folic acid, pyridoxine (vitamin B6), and cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) may reduce the risk of AMD.
Learn about good food sources for nutrients such as folic acid and vitamin B
Find nutritional products and supplements to supply folic acid and vitamin B
SOURCE: “Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, and Cyanocobalamin Combination Treatment and Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Women”, Christen et al, Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(4):335-341.
Dec
29
2008
Long-term use of vitamin E supplements, as well as increased intake of riboflavin (vitamin B2) and/or thiamin (vitamin B1), may help reduce the progression of age-related lens opacification.
Lens opacification (or clouding) is caused by the disruption of the transmission of light through the eye lens due to damage to the lens cells. When the opacification creates a reduction in visual acuity, it is referred to as a cataract. Studies suggest that oxidation is responsible for much of the damage to the lens and that antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, might protect the lens against formation of cataract.
Researchers conducted a five-year study of 408 women from the Nurses’ Health Study, aged 52 to 74 years at baseline. The women’s nutrient intake was calculated from five food frequency questionnaires collected over a 13- to 15-year period. During this time the duration of vitamin supplement use was assessed using seven questionnaires. At the end of this period the degree of nuclear density was determined.
Women who never supplemented with vitamin E had a 42% higher risk of getting cataracts than women who had supplemented vitamin E for 10 years.
Researchers concluded that long-term use of vitamin E supplements and higher riboflavin and/or thiamin intake may reduce the progression of age-related lens opacification.
Where can you find good sources of these vitamins?
- Vitamin E can be found in almonds, asparagus, avocado, nuts, olives, red palm oil, seeds, spinach and other leafy vegetables, wheat germ, and milk
- Riboflavin is found naturally in asparagus, bananas, okra, chard, cottage cheese, milk, yogurt, meat, eggs and fish.
- Foods rich in thiamin include yeast, oatmeal, brown rice, whole grain flour (rye or wheat), asparagus, kale, cauliflower, potatoes, oranges, liver (beef or pork), and eggs.
Learn more about cataracts, including recommended vitamins and supplements
Source: Jacques, et al, Long-term Nutrient Intake and 5-Year Change in Nuclear Lens Opacities, Arch Ophthalmol. 2005;123:517-526.
