American scientists report in a recent issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology that eating more fish, especially deep-sea fish, helps prevent age-related macular degeneration.
A U.S. research group specializing in age-related macular degeneration conducted a six-year follow-up study from 1992 to 1998 on 4,519 elderly people aged 60 to 80. The results found that those who ate fish, especially deep-sea fish, at least twice a week had a lower chance of developing age-related macular degeneration. Researchers believe this is mainly because fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have a protective effect on the retina of the elderly.
Previous studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids also help lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease, and can boost immunity and speed up metabolism. Omega-3 fatty acids cannot be formed in the human body and must be obtained from food.
In another study, researchers found that supplementing with vitamin D also helps reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration in the elderly.
Age-related macular degeneration is a retinal degenerative disease and one of the main causes of severe vision loss and blindness in people over 55. Its pathogenesis is that abnormal blood cells in the eye damage the central part of the retina, thereby blurring vision.