Association between fatty acid intake and age-related macular degeneration: a meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09

Association between fatty acid intake and age-related macular degeneration: a meta-analysis

Lee et al., 2024 | Front Nutr | Systematic Review

Citation

Lee Yan, Lee Lok, ... Zhou Qing. Association between fatty acid intake and age-related macular degeneration: a meta-analysis. Front Nutr. 2024;11:1403987. doi:10.3389/fnut.2024.1403987

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The association of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with the intake of high and low fatty acids (FAs), respectively, remains controversial. To this end, we performed a comprehensive meta-analysis of all the existing studies on the association of various intake levels of FA subtypes with AMD to determine these associations. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases was conducted from inception to September 2023. To compare the highest and lowest groups, odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was analyzed with a random-effects model/fixed-effects model. RESULTS: A high intake of omega-3 LCPUFAs (OR:0.67; 95%CI:[0.51, 0.88]; p = 0.004), DHA (OR:0.80; 95%CI:[0.70, 0.90]; p < 0.001), EPA (OR:0.91; 95%CI:[0.86, 0.97]; p = 0.004), and simultaneous intake of DHA and EPA (OR:0.79; 95%CI:[0.67, 0.93]; p = 0.035) significantly reduced the risk of overall AMD. Conversely, a high intake of trans-FAs (OR: 2.05; 95%CI: [1.29, 3.25]; p = 0.002) was significantly related to an increased risk of advanced AMD compared to the low-intake group. The subgroup analysis results are shown in the articles. CONCLUSION: Increasing dietary intake of omega-3 LCPUFAs, specifically DHA, and EPA, or the simultaneous intake of DHA and EPA, is significantly associated with a reduced risk of overall AMD. Various subtypes of omega-3 also have a significant association with a reduced risk of different stages of AMD. The high intake of trans-fatty acids (TFAs) is significantly and positively correlated with the risk of advanced AMD. This could further support the idea that consuming foods rich in omega-3 LCPUFAs and reducing consumption of foods rich in TFAs may prevent AMD. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42023467227.

Key Findings

A high intake of omega-3 LCPUFAs (OR:0.67; 95%CI:[0.51, 0.88]; p = 0.004), DHA (OR:0.80; 95%CI:[0.70, 0.90]; p < 0.001), EPA (OR:0.91; 95%CI:[0.86, 0.97]; p = 0.004), and simultaneous intake of DHA and EPA (OR:0.79; 95%CI:[0.67, 0.93]; p = 0.035) significantly reduced the risk of overall AMD. Conversely, a high intake of trans-FAs (OR: 2.05; 95%CI: [1.29, 3.25]; p = 0.002) was significantly related to an increased risk of advanced AMD compared to the low-intake group. The subgroup analysis resul

Outcomes Measured

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Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • No MeSH terms indexed

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: omega-3

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09