In reply
We thank Dr Hawkins for his inquiry. In any study applying a nonexperimental design, it is impossible to conclusively rule out the effect of factors sharing variance with dietary exposures. Results of diet-based analyses reflect consumption of foods; as such, the composition and consumption frequency of foods in our sample has constrained our inferences. We are able to share the additional details of composition and consumption and briefly discuss the means by which these factors guided us in making the conclusion that our results are biologically credible.
The first point is that lutein and zeaxanthin are the only major dietary carotenoids accreted in appreciable quantities to the retina. The second point is that the biophysical and biochemical properties of these compounds are capable of impacting factors and processes implicated in AMD pathogenesis (light exposure, oxidative stress, and cell signaling). As part of our original . . . [Full Text of this Article]
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