Estimation of antioxidants dietary intake in wet age-related macular degeneration patients

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study was to estimate the intake of antioxidant nutrients in wet age-related macular degeneration (AND) patients, a degenerative and progressive disorder of the macula, which is the central part of the retina, associated with central vision loss. Methods: A sample (n = 52, 78.9 +/- 6.6 years old, 40.4% females and 59.6% males) of patients diagnosed of AMD was interviewed. Anthropometric measurements, two 24-h recalls, a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and a general questionnaire incorporating questions related to socio-demographic and lifestyle variables were used. Results: Most of wet AMID patients showed inadequate antioxidant nutrient intake (< 2/3 of Recommended Dietary Intake, RDI), and more than 60% of patients showed serious deficient intake (< 1/3 RDI) of lutein and zeaxanthin. Most consumed antioxidant rich foods only represented low contributions to antioxidant intake. Although adiposity is a factor risk for AMID progression; the fat and saturated fatty acids (SPA) intake of study participants were higher than the recommendations; the prevalence of overweight was 61.9% men and 58.1% in women; and 83% of patients (90.5% men and 77.4% women) showed fat mass over the cut-off limits. Conclusions: The food pattern of wet AMD patients should be improved by means of an increase in the consumption of antioxidant rich foods, and a decrease in SFA rich foods.