The Indian Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics

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An Overview of Dietary Approaches to Prevent the Development of Diabetic Retinopathy


Affiliations
1 Dept. of Physiology and Promotive Health, Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
2 Dept. of Biology, Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
3 Dept. of Ophthalmology, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India
     

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Various researchers suggest that in up to 50% of patients with type 1 diabetes and 30% of those with type II diabetes, potentially vision-threatening retinal changes develop over time. Diabetic retinopathy is a common micro-vascular complication of diabetes mellitus. The present review outlines the dietary strategies to manage these complications of diabetes mellitus and studies the relationship between diet and retinopathy-associated risk factors in the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy. Though retinopathy therapy is currently limited to invasive procedures like laser photocoagulation and vitrectomy but there is a paradigm shift in favor of a preventive and protective, natural and safe dietary approach which can be used in treatment or prevention of diabetic retinopathy. Dietary carbohydrates, fats, proteins, dietary fibers, vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, phyto-estrogens, exogenous advanced glycation end-products, herbs, spices and protective dietary approaches play a role in development of diabetic retinopathy. This rationale can be applied to food interventions e.g. changing the composition of diet which favors metabolic improvements in type II diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. The ophthalmologists should encourage an interdisciplinary approach with endocrinologists and dietitian for optimal care of diabetic patient so as to prevent the development of diabetic retinopathy.

Keywords

Diabetic Retinopathy, Exogenous Advanced Glycation End-Products, Microvascular Complication.
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  • An Overview of Dietary Approaches to Prevent the Development of Diabetic Retinopathy

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Authors

Suri Manjula
Dept. of Physiology and Promotive Health, Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
Mamta Bhardwaj
Dept. of Biology, Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
Kapur Punam
Dept. of Ophthalmology, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India
Pathak Ashok
Dept. of Ophthalmology, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India

Abstract


Various researchers suggest that in up to 50% of patients with type 1 diabetes and 30% of those with type II diabetes, potentially vision-threatening retinal changes develop over time. Diabetic retinopathy is a common micro-vascular complication of diabetes mellitus. The present review outlines the dietary strategies to manage these complications of diabetes mellitus and studies the relationship between diet and retinopathy-associated risk factors in the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy. Though retinopathy therapy is currently limited to invasive procedures like laser photocoagulation and vitrectomy but there is a paradigm shift in favor of a preventive and protective, natural and safe dietary approach which can be used in treatment or prevention of diabetic retinopathy. Dietary carbohydrates, fats, proteins, dietary fibers, vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, phyto-estrogens, exogenous advanced glycation end-products, herbs, spices and protective dietary approaches play a role in development of diabetic retinopathy. This rationale can be applied to food interventions e.g. changing the composition of diet which favors metabolic improvements in type II diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. The ophthalmologists should encourage an interdisciplinary approach with endocrinologists and dietitian for optimal care of diabetic patient so as to prevent the development of diabetic retinopathy.

Keywords


Diabetic Retinopathy, Exogenous Advanced Glycation End-Products, Microvascular Complication.

References