by Neka Sehgal
“Though the role of vitamin D, the 'sunshine vitamin' in many chronic diseases is well known, now a new study claims that the nutrient may be good for our eyes too. According to experts, regular intake of the vitamin may prevent failing eyesight caused by age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in women younger than 75 years. AMD is a chronic and progressive eye disease that attacks the area of the eye called the macula, which causes permanent visual damage resulting in a blind spot in the center of vision. It starts with blurring of images and progresses into inability to recognize faces, read or watch television. AMD cannot be cured by prescription glasses, medication, or surgery.
An examination revealed that overall, 241 women developed early age-related macular degeneration and 26 developed advanced disease. The study found that women with the highest intakes of vitamin D had a 59 percent lower risk for AMD compared to those whose intake was the least. The investigators also found that women who had a blood vitamin D level higher than 38 nmol/L cut their risk of the early age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by 48 percent. According to the Institute of Medicine, a blood level of 50 nmol/L is considered adequate.
Though the study found vitamin D from foods and supplements cut the risk of the eye disease significantly, no such link was observed in women who absorbed vitamin D via sunlight. Lead author of the study, Dr Amy E. Millen of the School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, New York stated, "In women younger than 75, those who had 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations lower than 38 nanomoles per liter were more likely to have age-related macular degeneration than women with concentrations greater than 38 nanomoles per liter. Blood concentrations above 38 nanomoles per liter were associated with at least a 44 percent decreased odds of having AMD." The study is published in the April issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.
A little about vitamin D: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in very few foods but is available as a dietary supplement. It may be obtained in the recommended amount from a well-balanced diet, including some enriched or fortified foods. It can also be found in fish liver oil, eggs and fatty fish and supplements. Vitamin D is important in maintaining bone health, in absorbing calcium and phosphorus, and in helping the immune system. The body manufactures vitamin D when exposed to sunshine, but people are spending more time indoors and are deficient of the nutrient. The problem faced by older people is that as the body ages, capacity of the skin to absorb Vitamin D from sunlight decreases. Hence they need to replenish it from other sources. Experts recommend 10 to 15 minutes of sunshine 3 times a week."