Association of Dietary Nutrient Intake with Early Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Japanese-Americans

Abstract

Lifestyle factors may be associated with the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), in addition to demographic and genetic factors. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to elucidate the association between nutrient intake and AMD in the Japanese-American population living in Los Angeles. We conducted a medical survey of Japanese immigrants and their descendants living in Los Angeles, including interviews on dietary habits, fundus photography, and physical examinations. Participants were classified into early AMD and control groups on the basis of fundus photographic findings. Consequently, among the 555 participants, 111 (20.0%) were diagnosed with early AMD. There were no late-stage AMD participants. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the intake of animal fat and saturated fatty acids (SFA) was positively associated with early AMD (P for trend = 0.01 for animal fat, P for trend = 0.02 for SFA), and the intake of vegetable fat, total carbohydrate, simple carbohydrate, sugar, and fructose was inversely associated with early AMD (P for trend = 0.04 for vegetable fat, P for trend = 0.046 for carbohydrate, P for trend = 0.03 for simple carbohydrate, P for trend = 0.046 for sugar, P for trend = 0.02). Our findings suggest that excessive animal fat and SFA intake increases the risk for early AMD in Japanese-Americans whose lifestyles have been westernized.

Dietary Vitamins A, C, and Potassium Intake Is Associated With Narrower Retinal Venular Caliber

“…Dietary intake and dietary habits of all participants were assessed by a food frequency method, as previously described (21)(22)(23). First, a paper questionnaire concerning the frequency of food intake was given to the participants.…”

“…They calculated the values for daily total energy and intake for individual nutritional elements [i.e., animal protein, vegetable protein, animal fat, vegetable fat, saturated fatty acids (SFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), cholesterol, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins A, B1, B2 and C, calcium, iron, potassium and salt]. The average daily intake of each food group was calculated as (average intake per meal) × (frequency of intake per day); the nutrient intake from each food group was calculated as (nutrient value per 1 gram of each food) × (average daily intake of each food group) (21)(22)(23). The nutritional value of each food group was determined on the basis of the US Department of Agriculture Nutritive Value of American Foods in Common Units (24).…”