Posted in 65+, American Medical Society, Consumer affairs, Fish, Health Research, Healthy Eating, Macular Degeneration
The evidence of the health benefits of eating fish has been accumulating steadily. Frequent fish consumption has been linked with decreased risk of macular degeneration and with lowering the risk of coronary death.
However, reports of health risks associated with the consumption of fish due to mercury, dioxins and PCBs found in some species has some of the public concerned.
A report in this month’s Journal of the American Medical Society declares that the benefits of fish outweigh potential risks. The report states that moderate fish consumption reduces reduces risk of coronary death by 36 percent and the rate of death by 17 percent, and may favorably affect other clinical outcomes.
The study concludes that a variety of seafood should be consumed but that individuals with very high consumption (5 or more servings per week) should limit intake of the species highest in mercury levels.
Posted in 65+, AMD, Eye care, Health Research, Healthy Eating, Macular Degeneration, News
Foods containing the yellow plant pigments lutein and zeaxanthin may help prevent the eye disease age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In a study of 1,787 women aged 50 to 79 those who ate more of the foods rich in those pigments had a lower risk of intermediate-stage age-related macular degeneration.
These pigments are found in leafy green vegetables, corn, egg yolks, squash, broccoli, and peas. The results of the study were published in the Archives of Opthalmology, JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) Archives journals.
Posted in 65+, Eye care, Health Research, Healthcare, Lucentis, Macular Degeneration, Prescription drugs
The FDA has approved Lucentis, a drug that treats the “wet” type of macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in people over 60.
Eye care
In the wet form of macular degeneration blood vessels grow under the center of the retina, distorting vision or destroying central vision. It is less common than the dry type of macular degeneration but accounts for more vision loss than does the dry form of the disease.
In clinical trials, 90% of patients using Lucentis maintained their vision and approximately a third of those taking it over a 12 month period had improved vision.
Lucentis is made by Genentech, Inc.
