Carotene that Makes Carrot Orange is in New
Supplement that Slows Age-Related Macular Degeneration
New supplement introduced today appears so slow
down AMD, the leading cause of blindness in elderly
June 19, 2009 Eating carrots actually is good for
your sight, at least thats what is indicated by new research being
presented today. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) the leading
cause of blindness in senior citizens - can be slowed by taking an
antioxidant supplement containing carotenes, according to the results of
a program at Queens University Belfast.
As the macula of the eye is very rich in
antioxidants, the researchers wanted to see if a supplement called CARMA
(Caroteneoids and Co-antioxidants in Age-related Maculopathy) containing
the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin could help slow down AMD.
Carotenoids are orange or red plant pigments that
include the carotenes - carotene is an orange photosynthetic pigment
important for photosynthesis. Carotenes are responsible for the orange
color of the carrot, for which it is named, and many other fruits and
vegetables (for example, sweet potatoes and orange cantaloupe melon (more
at Wikipedia).
The supplement also contained vitamins C, E and
Zinc, which had been used in a previous study.
The study showed that intake of high levels of both
carotenoids preserved the macular pigments, slowing down the progression
from early AMD to late AMD.
In contrast, the macular pigments of participants
in a placebo group declined steadily.
This supplement may help those affected by the
leading cause of blindness in the Western World, according to
researchers conducting the five-year research program.
Professor Usha Chakravarthy, from Queen's Centre of
Vision and Vascular Science (CVVS), coordinated the study, which looked
at nutritional supplements for patients with early age-related macular
(AMD) degeneration and found they helped sharpen vision.
Details of the findings are being presented in
Belfast today (Friday) by Professor Chakravarthy and Dr Stephen Beatty,
Head of Vision Research at the Waterford Institute of Technology.
They co-designed the study and the antioxidant
supplement was developed with the advice of Professor Ian Young from the
School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences at Queen's and
scientists in eyecare companies Dr Mann Pharma and Bausch and Lomb.
AMD is an incurable eye disease which causes
blurring of central vision because of its effects on the macula, the
central part of the retina.
Over 400 people across Ireland took part in
clinical trials investigating whether carotenoids, rich antioxidants
which are found in fruit and vegetables, could prevent progression to
the more serious late AMD.
When the eye disease progresses to late AMD
patients are unable to read, watch television or recognize people's
faces as they only have peripheral vision, not central vision.
Professor Chakravarthy, who is also a Consultant
Ophthalmic Surgeon at the Royal Hospital in Belfast, said: "Late AMD
causes severe sight loss and has a huge economic impact both in terms of
the effects of sight loss itself and in terms of the expensive
treatments that are needed to deal with the condition.
"Up to 500 people a year in Northern Ireland will
lose sight in one or both eyes as a result of late AMD.
"We wanted to carry out the study as prevention of
progression to late AMD can result in a reduced financial and societal
burden."
Dr Chakravarthy added, "These findings are
important because this is the first randomised controlled clinical trial
to document a beneficial effect through improved function and maintained
macular pigments.
"Further research is needed to confirm these
findings and to identify the numbers needed to treat to prevent 1 case
from progressing from early to late AMD."
Background Information
The study was funded by Dr Mann Pharma of Bausch
and Lomb and the company. It was sponsored by the Belfast Health and
Social Care Trust.
Macular
degeneration, or age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a
leading cause of vision loss in Americans 60 and older. It is a
disease that destroys your sharp, central vision. You need
central vision to see objects clearly and to do tasks such as
reading and driving.
AMD affects the macula, the part
of the eye that allows you to see fine detail. It does not hurt,
but it causes cells in the macula to die. In some cases, AMD
advances so slowly that people notice little change in their
vision. In others, the disease progresses faster and may lead to
a loss of vision in both eyes. Regular comprehensive eye exams
can detect macular degeneration before the disease causes vision
loss. Treatment can slow vision loss. It does not restore
vision.
June 19, 2009 Eating carrots actually is good for
your sight, at least thats what is indicated by new research being
presented today. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) the leading
cause of blindness in senior citizens - can be slowed by taking an
antioxidant supplement containing carotenes, according to the results of
a program at Queens University Belfast. 