Julie A. Mares, Ph.D.

Room 1063 Warf Office Building
610 N. Walnut Street
Madison, WI 53705
608-262-8044
jmarespe@facstaff.wisc.edu

Emphasis Group:
Human Nutrition

Principal Research Interest:
Identification of nutritional factors in the development of age-related eye disease and degenerative processes of aging in general; development of methods of measurement and analysis of dietary intake for epidemiologic studies.

Research Summary:
The primary goal of my research program is to evaluate relationships of diet and nutritional status to the onset and progression of common age-related eye diseases of age-related cataract, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. We conduct studies in large population groups using epidemiological techniques in which diets or bioindicators that reflect status of one or many diet components are compared in people whose eye photographs indicate that early or advanced stages of these conditions are present or absent.

We evaluate many interrelated aspects of diet and healthy lifestyles. In some studies, we use a non-invasive flicker photometry test to evaluate levels of plant pigments (the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin) that accumulate in eye tissues and comprise macular pigment. We measure blood levels of vitamin D which reflects vitamin D from both diet and sunlight exposure. We collect extensive information about foods eaten and supplements taken. We currently focus on understanding broader aspects of diet that may promote health as we age. We score responses to diet questionnaires for adherence to several nutrient-rich diet patterns, such as the US Dietary Guidelines and Mediterranean diet patterns.

Ultimately, we translate our research findings into practical recommendations for healthy living at any age, to maximize eye health in old age, in ways that are sustainable and compatible with overall health of individuals and the communities in which we live.

Representative Publications:

Moeller SM, Voland R, Sarto GE, Gobel VL, Streicher SL, Mares JA. Women's Health Initiative Diet Intervention Did Not Increase Macular Pigment Optical Density in an Ancillary Study of a Subsample of the Women's Health Initiative. J. Nutr. 2009;139:1-8.

Moeller, S, Voland, R, Tinker, L, Blodi, B, Klein, M, Gehrs, K., Johnson, E., Snodderly, M, Wallace, R, Chappell, R, Parekh, N, Ritenbaugh, C, Mares, JA. Associations between Age-Related Nuclear Cataract and Lutein and Zeaxanthin in the Diet and Serum in the Carotenoids in Age-Related Eye Disease Study (CAREDS), an Ancillary Study of the Women’s Health Initiative. Arch Ophthalmol (2008);126(3):354-364.

LaRowe TL, Mares JA, Snodderly DM, Klein ML, Wooten BR, Chappell R. Macular Pigment Density and Age-Related Maculopathy in the Carotenoids in Age-Related Eye Disease Study, an ancillary study of the Women's Health Initiative. Ophthalmology, (2008) 115(5):876-883.

Parekh N, Chappell RJ, Millen AE, Albert DM, Mares JA. Association between vitamin D and age-related macular degeneration in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988 through 1994. Arch Ophthalmol. 2007;125(5):661-669.

Mares JA, LaRowe TL, Snodderly DM, Moeller SM, Gruber MJ, Klein ML, Wooten BR, Johnson EJ, Chappell R. Predictors of Optical Density of Lutein and Zeaxanthin in Retinas of Older Women in the Carotenoids in Age-Related Eye Disease Study, an ancillary study of the Women’s Health Initiative. Am J Clin Nutr. (2006);84:1107-22.