WATERFORD, Ireland—A review out of Waterford Institute of Technology has concluded supplementation with the macular carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin is likely the best approach to fortifying the antioxidant protection of the macula against the risk and/or progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Their findings were published Nov. 25 online ahead of print in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research.
Acknowledging the growing consensus AMD results from oxidative damage and resulting inflammation in the retina, and the increased research attention on the protective role of carotenoids found in the macular pigment, which fight oxidation and filter out short-wavelength radiation, the Irish researchers looked at the body of evidence behind the theory the macular pigment protects against AMD. They found convincing level 1 evidence showing supplementation with broad-spectrum antioxidants results in risk reduction for AMD progression. However, while studies have found supplementation with carotenoids such as lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin increases the macular pigment, level one evidence that this also reduces risk and/or progression of AMD is still lacking.
"Although appropriately weighted attention should be accorded to higher levels of evidence, the totality of available data should be appraised in an attempt to inform professional practice," they argued. "In this context, the literature demonstrates that supplementation with the macular carotenoids is probably the best means of fortifying the anti-oxidant defences of the macula, thus putatively reducing the risk of AMD and/or its progression."
