Curcuma-Based Nutritional Supplements and Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration
FEELING HUMBLED
Honored to be able to give exams to the children of the off shore islands of Papua New Guinea.
There are no bridges to the off shores islands. We are the only hope for medical supplies brought in by boat. These children have not seen a doctor. Most of them do not have any shoes. Their mud houses have coconut leaves for a roof. Despite the language barrier—we don't speak their language, and they don't speak English—we find ways to communicate.
Love is a universal language that transends countries, borders, barriers and differences. Susan C Young
Now to today’s article:
Curcuma-Based Nutritional Supplements and Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Today I want to write a summary about the outcomes of a study of patients with and without age-related macular degeneration (AMD) who are taking curcuma-based nutritional supplements.
The study uses the TriNetX Health Research Network (Cambridge, Massachusetts) and look at records of 66 799 patients without AMD taking CBNS had an associated decreased risk of developing nonexudative AMD, advanced nonexudative AMD, exudative AMD, or blindness when compared with matched patients not taking CBNS.
This study explores the potential role of curcuma-based nutritional supplements, particularly curcumin (the active component of turmeric), in mitigating the risk and progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). AMD, a leading cause of vision loss, is driven by oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and angiogenesis. These underlying factors make anti-inflammatory and antioxidant interventions valuable for management.
Key Findings:
Curcumin’s Mechanism of Action:
Curcumin exhibits potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It neutralizes reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduces lipid peroxidation, and modulates inflammatory pathways.
It has been shown to inhibit angiogenesis by downregulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a key player in wet AMD progression.
Laboratory Evidence:
Preclinical studies indicate that curcumin reduces retinal oxidative damage and inhibits drusen formation (associated with dry AMD).
In animal models, curcumin demonstrated a capacity to decrease the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and prevent photoreceptor degeneration.
Human Studies:
Limited clinical trials have investigated curcumin specifically in AMD patients. However, early studies suggest that