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. 2023 Jan 28;15(3):671.
doi: 10.3390/nu15030671.

The Relationship between Dietary Calcium and Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Yuan-Yuei Chen  1   2 , Ying-Jen Chen  3
Affiliations

The Relationship between Dietary Calcium and Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Yuan-Yuei Chen et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Background: Mineral element supplements are widely used in the older adult population. However, little is known of their impact on the progression of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). The aim of this study was to examine the association between dietary micronutrients and ARMD in older adults.

Methods: We enrolled 5227 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2005-2008) in this cross-sectional study. ARMD was evaluated using an ophthalmic digital imaging system and digital camera. Mineral element consumption was collected using a 24-hour dietary recall. The association between mineral element use and the presence of ARMD was determined by multivariable logistic regression.

Results: After adjusting for relevant variables, dietary calcium was negatively associated with ARMD (OR: 680, 95%CI: 0.482-0.960). In contrast to dietary form, serum concentration of calcium was not associated with ARMD. Moreover, increased dietary calcium was associated with reduced ARMD (OR: 0.684, 95%CI: 0.468-1.000).

Conclusion: A lower consumption of dietary calcium was significantly associated with a higher risk of ARMD. Further longitudinal studies are necessary to explore these findings.

Keywords: age-related macular degeneration; calcium; mineral elements.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart of the study.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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