The C.A.M. Report
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fair, Balanced, and to the Point

Archive for the 'Macular Degeneration' Category

Effect of smoking cessation on age-related macular degeneration in older women

Monday, September 19th, 2011

The results reported by researchers at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, in Los Angeles, California reinforce the recommendation to quit smoking — even for older women. (more…)

The value of nutritional supplements in older adults

Tuesday, May 24th, 2011

We commonly take them, but studies show mixed results regarding their health benefits, according to researchers at Duke University Medical Center, in Durham, North Carolina. (more…)

Consumer Alert: FDA warns about OTC chelation products

Friday, October 15th, 2010

8 companies of over-the-counter (OTC) chelation products were told that they are selling unapproved drugs and devices and are violating federal law with respect to unproven claims about these products.

These products purport to treat a range of diseases by removing toxic metals from the body. Some also claim to treat autism spectrum disorder, cardiovascular diseases, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, and other serious conditions. (more…)

A quick review of Ginkgo

Monday, July 12th, 2010

As part of the Charms & Harms series in the Journal of Primary Care, Dr. Joanne Barnes, from the University of Auckland, in New Zealand distilled the evidence.

Here’s what we know. (more…)

Nuritional supplements to treat age-related macular degeneration

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

It’s a leading cause of visual loss in older adults and has limited treatment options.

Researchers from the National Institutes of Health, in Bethesda, Maryland reviewed the evidence for using nutritional supplementation to treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD). (more…)

Vitamins to prevent macular degeneration

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of severe irreversible vision loss in older Americans.

Researchers from Harvard Medical School in Boston examined the combined effect of folic acid, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), and cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) on the risk of AMD. (more…)

Omega-3 to prevent macular degeneration

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

Researchers from Australia reviewed the medical literature and conclude omega-3 fatty acids and fatty fish might offer protection from age-related macular degeneration (AMD). (more…)

Intake of omega-3 in nursing home residents

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009

Researchers from the University of Waterloo in Canada tell us that increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids “is associated with the decreased risk and incidence of several morbidities afflicting the elderly, including cognitive decline, dementia, rheumatoid arthritis, and macular degeneration.”

With that information, one would think maintaining omega-3 intake would be a priority. But is it? (more…)

Vitamin D and age-related macular degeneration

Friday, April 11th, 2008

Researchers from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey report that vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) might protect against age-related macular degeneration (AMD). (more…)

Sources of lutein and zeaxanthin to help prevent age-related macular degeneration

Tuesday, August 29th, 2006

Diets rich in lutein plus zeaxanthin may protect against intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in healthy women younger than 75 years, according to a study just published in the Archives of Ophthalmology.

The findings are significant because there is no cure for AMD, only limited treatments are available, and there is no established means of prevention. Therefore, any intervention that lowers the risk for AMD is potentially important.

But what are lutein and zeaxanthin, and where can you get them?

(more…)

Yes, omega-3 reduces age-related macular degeneration risk — No, I don’t think so.

Thursday, August 17th, 2006

In July, two studies in well-respected ophthalmology journals came to different conclusions on this topic.

First, the good news. Then, the not so good news. Finally, news you can use.

Harvard researchers concluded that increased intake of fish reduced the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) — particularly for 2 or more servings per week. Also, higher intake of dietary omega-3 fatty acid was associated with a lower risk of AMD. The study population came from the National Research Council World War II Veteran Twin Registry.

Contrary to this, researchers from the University of Ottawa reviewed 6 studies and concluded that the results were inconsistent and they couldn’t say for sure.

What to do?

(more…)