Oxidative damage from sunlight as well as other disease processes contributes to the development of ARMD. Antioxidants can be protective, in particular bioflavonoid, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Vitamin D.
Researchers in the US examined the effect that glycemic index and total carbohydrate intake has on ARM. High carbohydrate diets can contribute to the development of diabetes as well as high glycemic diets.
A possible mechanism is increased oxidation of glycosilated proteins (proteins bound to sugars). These reactive molecules can damage the sensitive structures in the eye, including the retina.
The study used 1036 eyes from the Nurse's Health Study and food questionnaires gathered over a four year period. Dietary intake was analyzed to determine total carbohydrate intake as well as intake of foods on the glycemic index.
Foods that rate high on the glycemic index scale include potatoes, rice, white bread, and carrots. They are foods which are digested quickly and cause a sharp rise in blood sugar.
They found that the glycemic index is related to the risk of developing ARM; however total carbohydrate intakes is not related. Specifically the area of the eye most affected by foods high on the glycemic index was the pigmented cells in the retina.
The authors feel they may have found a new independent risk factor for developing age related maculopathy, and perhaps age related macular degeneration.
So it is not the amount of carbohydrates that one consumes, but the quality of those carbohydrates that affects disease incidence. More and more studies are showing a similar relationship between glycemic index and health.
Posted by Kristopher Foster on April 30, 2006 10:41 AM
