| A recent Harvard Medical School study shows | | | | acid had a 34% lower risk of any AMD, and a |
| that women who took vitamin B6 and B12, as | | | | 41% lower risk of AMD with vision loss as |
| well as folic acid, had a reduced risk of age | | | | compared with the placebo-taking group. |
| related macular degeneration (AMD), the most | | | | The researchers believe the benefits of the |
| common cause of blindness in older Americans. | | | | vitamin therapy didn't appear until about two |
| Inexpensive and easy to take, this all-natural | | | | years after starting treatment - so this is no |
| solution may offer hope to millions affected by | | | | quick fix to be sure. |
| AMD and improve vision. | | | | And even though the subjects in the study were |
| Age related macular degeneration is a disease | | | | women, the findings of the benefits of vitamin B |
| linked to getting older that slowly, almost | | | | likely apply to all older Americans. |
| imperceptibly destroys sharp central vision. This is | | | | "The trial findings ... are the strongest evidence to |
| the vision you need to see things clearly, as well | | | | date in support of a possible beneficial effect of |
| as do some basic daily tasks like reading, watching | | | | folic acid and B vitamin supplements in AMD |
| TV, driving. | | | | prevention," write the study authors, including |
| There are two forms of AMD, wet and dry and | | | | William Christen an associate professor of |
| the type you have will determine the treatment | | | | medicine. |
| you'll use to preserve your sight and keep your | | | | The work appears in the February 2009 issue of |
| eyes as healthy as possible. | | | | Archives of Internal Medicine though more |
| For the research, the 5,000 subjects, all women | | | | research will be needed on other groups of |
| over 40 years old and without signs of age | | | | subjects to help find the right level of vitamins |
| related macular degeneration, were randomly | | | | needed to benefit the eyes. |
| assigned to take a combination of 2.5 milligrams of | | | | Current estimates suggest that 1.75 million people |
| folic acid, 50 milligrams of vitamin B6 and one | | | | have the advanced form of AMD, and another 7.3 |
| milligram of B12 (higher levels than the current | | | | million are in the early stages of disease. |
| daily recommended doses), or a placebo every | | | | Right now, treatment for AMD is limited to the |
| day. | | | | later stages of the disease, but for the rest of |
| According to study author William Christen, folic | | | | us, there aren't any preventative measures - |
| acid, B6 and B12 are known to reduce blood | | | | except to stop smoking. |
| levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that has | | | | As you get older, or if you have concerns about |
| been linked, if blood levels are high enough, to a | | | | AMD, you might want to talk with your own |
| greater risk of age related macular degeneration. | | | | healthcare team about including B vitamins into |
| The subjects the team used in this work were | | | | your supplementing plans. |
| already participating in a study that was | | | | As water-soluble vitamins, you need to replenish |
| investigating using B vitamins for cardiovascular | | | | your resources each day. There are also ample |
| disease, and all the subjects had heart disease or | | | | natural sources of B vitamins that you might |
| at least three risk factors for it at the start of | | | | want to include in your diet. |
| the study. | | | | Good dietary sources of the B vitamins, especially |
| Determinations on their eye health were based on | | | | B12, are: |
| examinations of medical records or responses to | | | | - Animal products (meat, poultry) |
| questionnaires, there were no rigorous eye | | | | - Yeast extracts (brewers' yeast, Marmite). |
| examinations or retinal photos taken as part of | | | | Other sources include: |
| the research. | | | | - Asparagus, broccoli, spinach, bananas, potatoes |
| During the 7 years of follow up, the subjects | | | | - Dried apricots, dates and figs |
| answered yearly questionnaires to be sure they | | | | - Milk, eggs, cheese, yoghurt |
| were taking the vitamins and hadn't developed | | | | - Nuts and pulses |
| any new disease. | | | | - Fish |
| During the study, 137 new cases of AMD were | | | | - Brown rice, wheat germ, wholegrain cereals |
| diagnosed, 70 of these caused significant vision | | | | By including these vitamin b rich foods in your diet |
| loss. | | | | you can naturally help your body fight off AMD |
| But the subjects taking the B vitamins and folic | | | | and improve vision. |