Could taking Vitamin B & Folic Acid reduce the risk of AMD?


Vitamins and Folic AcidResearch has shown a strong connection between age related macular degeneration and taking eye supplements.  It appears that vitamins B6 and B12 together with folic acid, can reduce the risk of AMD in women (Archives of Internal Medicine, 23 February 2009).

There is a strong connection with vision loss and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and it is a leading cause of blindness in the US.  Although, there are number of treatments including surgery for this eye disease, preventative measures are not conclusive.  Some research has suggested that smoking can have a significant effect on development of AMD. 

The amount of an amino acid in the blood known as homocysteine, has been shown to have a negative effect on blood vessels by causing dysfunction of the blood vessel lining.  Vitamins B6 and B12 as well as folic acid on the other hand are known to reduce the amount of homocysteine in the blood and therefore reverse blood vessel lining problems.

Folic Acid

Folic acid, is also known as folate and when it is in its natural form, it is a B-group of vitamin.  Folic acid can be found in many foods but only in small amounts.  The highest levels of folic acid are found in Brussel sprouts, broccoli, asparagus, peas and brown rice.   Folic acid is water-soluble and therefore cannot be stored in the body for long periods of time and a daily intake is therefore essential.  Adults require around 0.2 mg a day.  Throughout pregnancy, higher amounts are required in order to prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida.  The two main functions of folic acid are to form healthy red blood cells with vitamin B12 and to reduce the risk of neural tube defects.

Vitamins B

Vitamin B can be broken down into eight light water-soluble vitamins.  They play a crucial role in cell metabolism. Vitamin B12 contains cobalt and can be found in meat, eggs and dairy products and its main function is in the formation of red blood cells and also in the maintenance of a healthy nervous system. Vitamin B6 is also known as pyridoxine hydrochloride and it is essential for the metabolism of protein by the body.  It also contributes to the function of the nervous and immune systems and in the synthesis of hormones and red blood cells. Vitamin B6 can be found in poultry, fish, eggs, vegetables and fruit.  Daily intake for men is around 2mg and for women 1.6mg.

Researchers at Harvard Medical School together with collaborators have completed clinical trials on the effects of Vitamin B and folic acid on sight loss with age related macular degeneration.  In a study involving 5,442 women aged 40 years and over, it was found that the beneficial effects of taking vitamins B and folic acid could be seen during trials and for two years after the study.  All the women were already at risk of three health factors such as heart disease.  From the group, 5,205 women did not suffer from age related macular degeneration, when the study began.  Between 1998-2005 women from the group were given a placebo or, a combination of folic acid and vitamin B.

By the end of the study, there were a total of 137 cases of AMD.  Taking the supplements seemed to reduce the risk of developing AMD. In fact there was a 34 percent lower risk of developing any kind of AMD and a 41 percent lower chance of developing visually significant AMD with daily supplements of Vitamin B and folic acid.  Other benefits of Vitamins B and folic acid are their antioxidant effects and improved blood vessel function within the eye.

Read the full report.

15th March 2009

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