Beijing: Chinese scientists have discovered that a higher intake of calcium, particularly from sources such as milk and yogurt, is linked with a significantly reduced likelihood of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a Chinese population characterized by relatively low dietary calcium consumption.

According to Emirates News Agency, a case-control study published in the Food and Function Journal was conducted with 284 AMD cases and 284 matched controls who underwent eye examinations. The research aimed to explore the relationship between dietary calcium intake and its primary sources with the likelihood of AMD within the Chinese population.

The study revealed that, in a multivariable adjusted model, an increase in dietary calcium intake correlated with notably lower odds of AMD, particularly among participants whose dietary calcium intake was less than 800 mg per 2000 kcal per day. Furthermore, the findings align with existing public health recommendations for maintaining adequate calcium levels, stressing that the health benefits of calcium may vary depending on its dietary sources.