Intermittent fasting by skipping breakfast has been significantly associated with a reduced risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a Korean study.
Published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology, scientists from the Yonsei University College of Medicine completed a cross-sectional study using participants selected from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), population-based, government-led survey data.
The scientists reviewed comprehensive data, including meal frequency and fundus photography for 4,504 individuals aged 55-years and older. Participants were divided into two groups based on breakfast frequency per week, with intermittent fasters eating breakfast ‘nearly zero’ times per week and non-fasters eating breakfast five to seven times per week. Of all participants, 25.1% were identified with AMD by fundus photography.
Using multiple logistic regression analysis to determine the risk factors for AMD they reported that “The intermittent fasting group had a decreased risk of AMD compared with the non-fasting group (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.413, 95% CI 0.203-0.841), especially in individuals with a younger age (<70 years, aOR 0.357, 95% CI 0.153-0.833), obesity (aOR 0.663, 95% CI 0.424-1.037), and urban residence (aOR 0.437, 95% CI 0.248-0.769). Increased age (aOR 1.058, 95% CI 1.041-1.076) and serum high-density lipoprotein levels (aOR 1.011, 95% CI 1.002-1.021) were also independent risk factors for AMD”.
The researchers concluded that, “intermittent fasting by skipping breakfast was significantly associated with a reduced risk of AMD in this representative older adult population, especially in individuals with age <70 years, obesity, and urban residence”.
Reference
Eun Young Choi, Min Kim, Christopher Seungkyu Lee, Suk Ho Byeon, Sung Soo Kim, Minyoung Lee. Intermittent Fasting Is Associated With a Decreased Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration July 06, 2022. The American Journal of Ophthalmology. doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2022.06.017
