Now salmon and sardines can help prevent blindness

Published: 03 December, 2010

AN American study has found that a diet rich in oily fish can help prevent certain types of blindness among elderly people.

So now the likes of salmon, sardines and mackerel, which are already linked to the prevention of heart disease, certain types of cancer and even some mental health conditions, is rapidly gaining the status of a wonder health food.

The study, at Wilmer Eye Institute at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Maryland, backs up earlier studies which showed omega-3s help slow the progression of advanced age related macular degeneration - or AMD.

The research was carried out on over 2,400 volunteers aged between 65 and 84 and found that those who had oily fish and some types of shellfish which were high in Omega-3 were found to have far less AMD which is caused by the death of cells in the retina. The condition affects around 240,000 elderly people in the UK and there is no recognised cure for it. The results, which back up earlier studies, was published in the Ophthalmology Journal.

Lead researcher Dr Sheila West said: "While participants in all groups, including controls, averaged at least one serving of fish or shellfish per week, those who had advanced AMD were significantly less likely to consume high omega-3 fish and seafood."

Omega-3 fatty acids have long been known to help lower blood pressure, decrease the risk of irregular heart rhythms, halt growth of fat clogging the arteries and reduce levels of the harmful fat triglyceride, which has been linked to heart attacks.

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