Eat fish and don't smoke!

Those who smoke or have a history of smoking have an increased risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, according to a study of elderly male twins in Boston.

Those who ate more fish and had diets with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids reduced their risk of the blinding disease, according to the study findings,  published in the July 2006 Archives of Ophthalmology.

Researchers at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and Department of Biostatistics studied 681 male twins, including 222 with intermediate and late-stage AMD and 459 with no signs of the disease.

‘Current smokers had a 1.9-fold increased risk of developing AMD, while past smokers had about a 1.7-fold increased risk,’ said Johanna M Seddon, director of the Epidemiology Unit.

‘We also found that increased intake of fish reduced the risk of AMD, particularly if they ate two or more servings per week. Dietary omega-3 fatty intake was also inversely associated with AMD. This study of twins provides further evidence that cigarette smoking increases risk, while fish consumption and omega-3 fatty acid intake reduce risk of AMD.’