MON., MAY 19, 2014: JUST-RELEASED NATURAL HEALTH STUDY HIGHER FOLATE INTAKE MAY REDUCE GLAUCOMA RISK: A study has found that the risk of two types of glaucoma may be lower among those whose intake of folate is highest. These types are exfoliation glaucoma or EG and secondary glaucoma or SEG. (Folate is also known by several names, including vitamin M and vitamin B9.) Researchers analyzed data on 78,980 women and 41,221 men, all of whom were 40 years of age or older and free of glaucoma. Subjects completed diet questionnaires and had eye examinations results recorded. Vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 intakes were found to have no relationship to EG or SEG risk. However, reduced risk of glaucoma was detected among those whose folate intake placed them within the highest folate quintile. This association was noted for supplemental folate intake but not for dietary intake of folate. There was a minor reduction in glaucoma risk with multivitamin use, which may have been due to the smaller dose of folate in these one-a-day supplements. This study was published in the May 2014 issue of the journal JAMA Ophthalmology. It can now be read online in full at tinyurl/mbqze52 with access fee.
Posted on: Mon, 19 May 2014 17:48:07 +0000