Dietary Carbs and Eye Health

Posted on: Thursday, 24 July 2008, 03:00 CDT By Taylor, Allen Loss of central vision is an early sign of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)-which is one of the leading causes of blindness among the elderly. Another kind of vision loss, sometimes occurring in people with diabetes, has been associated with consumption of diets high in "fast" carbs. These carbohydrates are quickly digested and absorbed, resulting in a rapid rise and fall in blood sugar levels. Fast-carb foods include white bread, rice, potatoes, pastas, sugars, and syrups. But whole-grain versions of bread and pasta, and brown rice are considered "slow" carbs and are digested more slowly. Researchers analyzed data taken from more than 4,000 men and women, aged 55 to 80, who are participating in the Age- Related Eye Disease Study. They want to know whether... [read full story]