Fishy news

Did you know that eating fish may help prevent macular degeneration? Two studies in this month’s Archives of Ophthalmology showed that advanced macular degeneration occured less often in those who ate fish regularly compared to those that ate fish rarely. One study examined the eyes and took a dietary survey of over seven thousand subjects. Those who ate fish at least weekly had less than half the prevalence of advanced macular degeneration compared to those who ate fish less than twice a month. Another study showed a 35% decrease in advanced macular degeneration for those who ate more broiled or baked fish (but not fried!). The authors postulate that fish oils may decrease inflammation and decrease the formation of abnormal new blood vessels, both of which occur in advanced macular degeneration. Whether or not fish-oil supplements are helpful in macular degeneration is not known.

(image courtesy wikipedia commons)

Did you also know? The first of these studies also found that drinking milk was related to less early macular degeneration. (Possibly related to its vitamin D content.)

(image courtesy wikipedia commons)