Compound in Broccoli May Protect from Macular Degeneration

"Buck Institute study also shows that palmitoleic acid protects the retina from environmental damage in mouse models of disease," according to Medical News Today. "Buck researchers boosted the potency of a broccoli-related compound by ten times and identified it as a possible treatment for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss affecting more than 10 million older Americans. The research, published in Scientific Reports, also highlights the role of lipid metabolism in maintaining the health of the retina, reporting that palmitoleic acid also had protective effects on retinal cells in culture and in mice. The "good-for-you" compound in broccoli which prompted the inquiry is indole-3-carbinol (I3C), which is currently being studied for cancer prevention." Read more.