Scientists Discover a Possible Link Between Carbohydrates and Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration is a condition that gradually destroys sharp, central vision and results in blindness and it affects about 7 to 15% of the entire elderly population.

Research just completed by the scientists at Tufts University shows a connection between carbohydrates and the condition. And as a result, they are suggesting that by decreasing the patient's intake of refined carbohydrates, they may be able to slow down the progression. Unfortunately, it is not a cure, but it does show promise for prolonging the amount of time that the patient can keep at least a portion of their vision longer.

The researchers feel that making changes in the diet is the most practical as well as the most cost effective method to slow down the progress of the disease.

Their studies have shown that in both men and women over the age of 55, a diet that contains a higher than a normal amount of foods that are high on the dietary glycemic index also tend to be at a much greater risk for developing both the early and late stages of AMD>

Those foods that are high on the glycemic index cause a fast rise in blood sugar, which is followed by a fast drop in blood sugar. For example, white bread and white rice are both refined carbohydrates and are high up on the glycemic index, whereas foods that contain whole wheat are low on the index.

The researchers examined data from an eight year study of 4,757 participants. There were both men and women between the ages of 55 and 80 in the study and they did not have diabetes, but they were all at different stages of AMD. They took a close look at the patients' intake of carbohydrates in the course of a year and used that to establish the dietary glycemic index of each one of them. The results showed that those who had the most refined carbohydrates, and were therefor higher on the index, were 17% more likely to develop AMD when compared to the group that consumed the least amount and came in lower on the index.