Omega-3s Do Not Boost Protective Effect Of Anti-AMD Nutrient Cocktail

Including omega-3 fatty acids in a mix of nutritional supplements commonly recommended for preventing advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) did not improve the effect, according to an NIH study. The plant-derived antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin also had no overall effect on AMD when added to the combination. However, they were safer than the related antioxidant beta-carotene, which has been associated with a higher risk of lung cancer, researchers said. More than 4,000 people, ages 50 to 85 years at risk for advanced AMD, a major cause of vision loss among older Americans, participated in the five-year trial.