Posted on 11/01/2006 5:43:18 AM PST by Dark Skies
MADISON, Wis., Oct. 31 -- Regular exercise reduced the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration by as much as 70%, researchers here reported. Action Points
Even walking more than 12 blocks a day was beneficial, reducing the risk by 30% compared with a sedentary lifestyle, Michael Knudtson, M.S., of the University of Wisconsin, and co-authors, reported online in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.
Cardiovascular disease and age-related macular degeneration may share common risk factors, such as weight, blood pressure, systemic inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction, they noted, and physical activity is known to improve the heart-risk profile. The Wisconsin team investigated a relationship between physical activity and the long-term rate of degenerative eye disease.
The population-based findings came from an analysis of the 15-year cumulative incidence of the degenerative eye disease among 3,874 men and women in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.
Participants in the Beaver Dam Eye Study were ages 43 to 86 at the start of the 15-year study in 1988-1990. After that, they were assessed at five-year intervals with grading stereoscopic color fundus photographs. Measures of physical activity-blocks walked each day, stair climbing, and sessions of formal exercise--were obtained through a questionnaire at the baseline examination.
In all, 25% of the population reported an active lifestyle (regular walking three or more times a week), 21% climbed more than six flights of stairs a day, while 13% walked more than 12 blocks a day.
After controlling for age, sex, history of arthritis, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, smoking, and education, those with a baseline active lifestyle (walking three times or more a week) were 70% less likely to develop exudative age-related macular degeneration over 15 years (odds ratio 0.3, 95% confidence interval 0.1 to 0.7), compared with sedentary people.
After multivariate adjustment for other risk factors, such as age, serum lipid levels, and weight, increased categories of number of blocks walked per day decreased the risk of developing the eye disorder over 15 years by 30% (OR 0.7, CI 0.6 to 0.97).
However, physical activity was not related to the incidence of early age-related macular degeneration or pure geographic atrophy, the researchers reported.
After stratifying by age, sex and BMI, the only significant interaction was between age and walking. People younger than 65 at baseline who walked did not reduce their risk; those older than 65 had a 50% decreased risk (OR 0.54, CI 0.37 to 0.80; P value for interaction =0.04).
Those with an active lifestyle were more likely to be younger and after controlling for age were less likely to be current smokers, have a history of heavy drinking, have less education, or a larger body mass index. However, they were more likely to have a history of cardiovascular disease than those with a sedentary lifestyle, the researchers reported.
Physical activity in the Beaver Dam population was associated with lower systolic blood pressure, lower white blood counts, and less obesity, factors previously found to be linked to macular degeneration, the researchers said. However, they added that the relationship of walking and an active lifestyle with a lower rate of the eye disorder remained even after controlling for these factors.
Although other factors, such as diet may contribute to these findings, physical activity is known to reduce systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, both hypothesized to have a role in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration. It is not clear, the researchers said, whether specific inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein, or other unmeasured confounders are the explanation for the association.
The age association in this form of macular degeneration is more relevant biologically than chronologically, the investigators noted, adding that physically active people are likely to be biologically younger than sedentary individuals.
The study's limitations included the measurement of physical activity by a questionnaire and the fact that sedentary individuals were less likely to return for follow-up exams. Still, the researchers said, they believe that these limitations would bias the findings toward the null. Finally, they noted that they could not rule out the possibility of residual confounding.
Summing up, the Wisconsin team said that independent of body mass index and other confounders, this study provides evidence that a modifiable behavior, regular physical activity such as walking, might protect against the age-related eye disorder.
You can get the same benefits, I guess, from eating spinach a couple of times a week. That way you don't need to live such a healthcult "moral" lifestyle. (Wash the damn stuff carefully or buy it sanitized in a can . . . stay away from that "Organic" Hippie crap.)
This is too simple. The healthiest, most active, strongest 76 year old I know is struggling against macular degeneration. This woman is very active with strength and cardiovascular work. She has been this active her entire life. She has never been overweight or skinny. She has a wise diet that includes free range chicken and eggs in addition to growing many of her own vegetables. She never sits down - except to watch television or to read, which is becoming more and more difficult. She has NO heart problems, diabetes, or any of those old age problems. She is often mistaken for being her son's sister instead of his mother. The only other person I know well who has macular degeneration was a very active PE teacher. I really have a hard time believing that activity can make a difference in macular degeneration. It is much more complicated than that.
I think the point of the study isn't that exercise is a cure but that it has a very positive effect overall.
I need to add that the extremely healthy 76 year old woman with macular degeneration has never smoked. She also does not drink and never has. There has never been any drug use.
The macular degeneration was a total surpise for an otherwise very healthy active individual.
There is a very strong genetic correlation that trumps other factors.
I think the point of the study isn't that exercise is a cure but that it has a very positive effect overall.
You'll only die healthy. /sarc
IIRC, "early-onset" macular d has a strong genetic link, but age-related doesn't.
Wasn't there an article about a month ago concerning a drug that stops MD in its tracks?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1678664/posts
On a personal note, I went with my dad to his last doctor's visit re: macular and asked the doc about this drug. He said it was great for some patients but didn't work for patients like my dad (too much damage).
There is a new treatment that involves a computer chip that replicates the retina but it is only entering the trial stage. I will try to dig up some info on that treatment.
Lift weights.
Look, exercise has systemic effects. Strength training all muscle groups, it seems will help the eye muscles. Even that sagging face can be helped by increasing the supporting muscle mass.
Apparently that drug is for "wet" macular degeneraion. "Dry" MD runs in my family. :(
I thought there was a new light activated drug for this that just came out...
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