B Vitamin Supplementation and Age-Related Macular Degeneration

In a randomized trial involving women, B vitamins lowered risk for age-related macular degeneration but not for cancer or cardiovascular disease.

In the Women’s Antioxidant and Folic Acid Cardiovascular Study (WAFACS), more than 5400 women with cardiovascular disease or risk factors were randomized to placebo or a combination of B vitamins (folic acid, vitamin B₆, and vitamin B₁₂). Previous reports from this trial indicated that B vitamin supplementation did not lower the incidence of cardiovascular events or invasive cancer (JW May 6 2008 and JW Nov 18 2008).

Because blood homocysteine levels are associated with risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and B vitamins lower homocysteine levels, researchers performed a new analysis of the WAFACS data to assess whether B vitamins lowered the incidence of AMD. After an average follow-up of 7 years, the incidence of AMD was signifi…

Reviewing Author

Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Grant / Research supportColorado Health Foundation

Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Grant / Research supportColorado Health Foundation