Red Meat and Chicken Consumption and Its Association With Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Abstract

Purpose: : To prospectively evaluate associations between past intakes of red meat and chicken with the prevalence of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

Methods: : Participant’s meat intake was estimated from a food frequency questionnaire at baseline in 6734 men and women aged 58 to 69 years in 1990-94 from Melbourne, Australia and classified into 4 approximately equal groups. At follow up from 2003-06, digital macula photographs of both eyes were taken and evaluated for early and late AMD signs according to the International grading system and the modified Wisconsin grading system. Logistic regression was used to estimate prevalence odds ratios, with adjustment for age, sex, smoking, energy, vitamin C, vitamin E, β carotene, zinc, lutein/zeaxanthin, body mass index and energy-adjusted protein intake.

Results: : Higher red meat intake was associated with an increased prevalence of early AMD; the odds ratio (OR; 95% confidence interval) comparing red meat intake >= 10 times/week to < 5 times/week was 1.47 (1.21-1.79), p trend = 3.5 times/week versus <1.5 times/week, was associated with a decreased prevalence of late AMD, OR 0.43 (0.20-0.91), p trend 0.007.

Conclusions: : Intakes of red meat and processed meat were positively associated with early AMD while intake of chicken was inversely associated with late AMD. Our results suggest that intake of specific meats may impact differently on the risk of AMD and may be a target for lifestyle modification.

Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • nutritional factors