title: [Diet and management of degenerative diseases of the retina (retinitis pigmentosa)].
abstract: Considerable progress has been made in the understanding and management of degenerative diseases of the retina. The dietetic intervention has been favourably proposed in the most common forms of retinitis pigmentosa, a condition potentially leading to blindness. Vitamin A has been shown to be effective in delaying progression of the disease. In these patients such treatment is the only possible therapy, to date, and a lifetime generous supplementation of retinol is advisable, together with a vitamin A-rich diet and/or a dietary supplement (e.g. carrot flour) or pharmacologic supplement of vitamin A. Supply of vitamin A in doses up to 25000 IU (7500 igr/day), even for several years, has so far proved safe from risk of occurrence of liver disease. A possible effect on hypercholesterolemia related to a very prolonged treatment in predisposed individuals can be avoided by using a special diet, particularly enriched with beta-carotene. Guidelines for preparing a diet, specially formulated to provide an elevated weekly supply of vitamin and/or its precursor (equal to 15000 IU or 5000 microg of RE, retinol equivalent) and to control possible risk factors related to dietetic manipulation (supply of fat lower than 30% of total calories, variable levels of cholesterol and polyunsaturated fatty acids n-3, n-6) are presented. As long as resolutive therapy is lacking, dietetic intervention plays a primary role, although underestimated, in the management of the patients suffering from retinitis pigmentosa. The diet is specifically characterized by presence of food with a high content of carotenoids, substances with a favourable and additive effect.
authors.affiliation: Centro di Ricerca in Nutrizione Umana, Istituto di Biochimica Clinica, Italia.
authors.forename: G A D
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Miggiano
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Falsini
mesh_terms: D002985:Clinical Protocols; D006801:Humans; D012174:Retinitis Pigmentosa / Q000178:diet therapy*; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014801:Vitamin A