Plasma long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and macular pigment in subjects with family history of age-related macular degeneration: the Limpia Study

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the dietary intakes of lutein, zeaxanthin (L + Z) and omega-3-essential fatty acid(EFA) among a selected population of Australian based adults and to examine the effect of specified risk factors for age-related macular degeneration(AMD) on those levels. Methods A cross-sectional study involving 70 adults aged 19–52 years was carried out. Demographic data were obtained using an online self-administered questionnaire while dietary intakes were estimated using USDA's 24 hours recall questionnaire, the Victorian Cancer Council(Australia) food frequency questionnaire and anthropometric characteristics were obtained using a body composition analyzer. Dietary intakes of lutein, zeaxanthin, omega-3-EFA and anthropometric indices against the risk of AMD were established using descriptive statistics and Spearman correlation. Results The mean age of the population was 29.9 ± 8.1years with 51% men and 49% women. Women had a higher intake of L + Z (1908.6 μg/day versus 1032.8 μg/day) and alpha-linolenic acid(ALA) compared to men(1.7 ± 1.1 g/day versus 1.6 ± 1.2 g/day). Men consumed more omega-3-EFA than women (433 ± 397.1 mg/day versus 365 ± 210.7 mg/day). L + Z levels were higher among people of Middle Eastern and South Asian origin (>4000 μg/day) in the 19–25years age group. People of Middle Eastern, South East Asian and South Asian had the highest intake of omega-3-EFA(>500 mg/day) at ages 19–25, 26–32 and 34–52years respectively. Women aged 34–52years with a family history of AMD had higher levels of L + Z(>2500 μg/day) while women aged 26–32years with a family history of AMD had higher levels of ALA(>3 g/day). Ethnicity and L + Z were correlated (P = −0.456, P < 0.02). Higher levels of intake of L + Z (>4000 μg/day) were seen in participants aged 34–52years with a 5–10years residence in Australia. Participants who had less than 5–10years of residency had higher levels of omega-3-EFA(>500 mg/day) for ages 26–32years while those aged 34–52years who had less than 5years of residency had higher ALA(>4 g/day). Conclusions Intake levels for L + Z vary significantly among participants. Culturally specific dietary habits could feasibly influence the levels of intake of L + Z. Intake levels of omega-3-EFA were met. This study provides detailed intake levels of L + Z and omega-3-EFA for the ‘at-risk’ AMD group. Funding Sources No funding source.

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Regarding Macular Xanthophylls and ω-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

JAMA Ophthalmology ◽

10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2013.6667 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 132 (2) ◽

pp. 230

Author(s):

Katherine A. Meagher ◽

John M. Nolan ◽

Stephen Beatty

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽

Macular Degeneration ◽

Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽

Age Related ◽

Long Chain

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Macular Xanthophylls and ω-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

JAMA Ophthalmology ◽

10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2013.2851 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 131 (5) ◽

pp. 564 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Christin Arnold ◽

Lisa Winter ◽

Kati Fröhlich ◽

Susanne Jentsch ◽

Jens Dawczynski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽

Macular Degeneration ◽

Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽

Age Related ◽

Long Chain

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Regarding Macular Xanthophylls and ω-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Age-Related Macular Degeneration—Reply

JAMA Ophthalmology ◽

10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2013.6340 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 132 (2) ◽

pp. 231

Author(s):

Christin Arnold ◽

Susanne Jentsch ◽

Dietrich Schweitzer ◽

Volker Böhm

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽

Macular Degeneration ◽

Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽

Age Related ◽

Long Chain

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Dietary fatty acids and lipoproteins on progression of age-related macular degeneration

Grasas y Aceites ◽

10.3989/gya.0830162 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 68 (2) ◽

pp. 187 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

S. Montserrat-de la Paz ◽

M. C. Naranjo ◽

B. Bermúdez ◽

S. López ◽

R. Abia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Macular Degeneration ◽

Medical Condition ◽

Dietary Fatty Acids ◽

Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Age Related ◽

Long Chain

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a medical condition of central loss vision and blindness. Numerous studies have revealed that changes on certain dietary fatty acids (FAs) could have useful for AMD management. This review summarizes the effects of dietary omega-3 long-chain PUFAs, MUFAs, and SFAs, and lipoproteins on AMD. Findings are consistent with the beneficial role of dietary omega-3 long-chain PUFAs, while the effects of dietary MUFAs and SFAs appeared to be ambiguous with respect to the possible protection from MUFAs and to the possible adverse impact from SFAs on AMD. Some of the pathological mechanisms associated with lipoproteins on AMD share those observed previously in cardiovascular diseases. It was also noticed that the effects of FAs in the diet and lipoprotein on AMD could be modulated by genetic variants. From a population health perspective, the findings of this review are in favour of omega-3 long-chain FAs recommendations in a preventive and therapeutic regimen to attain lower AMD occurrence and progression rates. Additional long-term and short-term nutrigenomic studies are required to clearly establish the role and the relevance of interaction of dietary FAs, lipoproteins, and genes in the genesis and progression of AMD.

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Foveal macular pigment dip in offspring of age-related macular degeneration patients is inversely associated with omega-3 index

BMC Ophthalmology ◽

10.1186/s12886-020-01742-0 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Grant A. Rutledge ◽

Steven G. Pratt ◽

Stuart P. Richer ◽

Byki Huntjens ◽

C. Blake Perry ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Macular Degeneration ◽

Essential Fatty Acids ◽

Macular Pigment ◽

Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Serum Factors ◽

Rbc Membrane ◽

Age Related ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Background Offspring of parent(s) with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) have a 45% lifetime risk of developing the disease. High foveal macular pigment optical density (MPOD) is protective, whereas individuals with a “foveal macular pigment dip” (FMPD) are at increased risk. Shortage of the dietary carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin as well as fish consumption are reported AMD risk factors. This Early Biomarkers of AMD (EBAMD) study evaluates serum factors that protect foveal MPOD architecture in Caucasian offspring of parent(s) with AMD. Methods N = 130 subjects [mean (SD) age 62.8 (8.6) years; 36/94 male/female] were recruited from Scripps Health/ Scripps Memorial Hospital/ Scripps Mericos Eye Institute between 2012 and 2017. Macula pigment 3D topography was evaluated using specular reflectance. Buccal genetic cheek swab, circulating serum dietary carotenoids and long-term RBC omega-3 fatty acid status, as well as common secondary clinical structural and vision function parameters were obtained. Results 41 % of offspring of AMD parent(s) presented with FMPD. These offspring were about 4 years younger than those without FMPD (controls; P = 0.012) and had thinner foveas (P = 0.010). There were no differences in gender, BMI, % body fat, visual acuity or contrast sensitivity between those with and without FMPD. % RBC membrane docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was reduced in FMPD offspring vs. control offspring (P = 0.04). The Omega-3 Index was significantly decreased in the FMPD group (P = 0.03). Conclusions The percentage of FMPD in AMD offspring is nearly twice that reported for the general population in the scientific literature. Offspring presenting FMPD had similar AMD genetic risk, but significantly reduced % RBC membrane omega-3 fatty acids and thinner foveas compared with those without FMPD. Our data supports the importance of ‘essential fatty’ acids as an independent AMD risk factor.

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