Researchers from the University of Wisconsin and the University of North Carolina analyzed data from 1,353 type 2 diabetics diagnosed from 1993 to 1995 or earlier, participating in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. Researchers administered food frequency and supplement questionnaires between 1987 to 1989 and 1993 to 1995 and fundus photographs were obtained from the participants between 1993 to 1995 to determine retinopathy .
Researchers found that a decreased risk of retinopathy was associated with participants who reported long-term vitamins C and E supplement intake. Findings revealed that supplement users experienced a 50 percent lower risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, compared to the participants who did not report supplement use. However, a decreased risk of retinopathy was not associated with vitamins C and E from food alone or food and supplements combined. "The observed association between risk of retinopathy and supplement use may reflect nondietary factors or a possible benefit of supplementation," the study authors conclude.
Posted by Kristopher Foster on February 13, 2006 10:57 AM
