Government Study: Supplements Slow the Progression of Macular Degeneration

A recent five-year study conducted by the National Institutes of Health updates and clarifies the combination of vitamins that can slow the progression of macular degeneration in some patients, reinforcing the advantages of taking supplements.

The first Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), led by NIH’s National Eye Institute, concluded in 2001 that daily high doses of vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and the minerals zinc and copper — called the AREDS formulation — can help slow the progression of macular degeneration. In 2006, the NEI launched AREDS2, a five-year study designed to test whether the original AREDS formulation could be improved by adding omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil supplements) and the nutrients lutein and zeaxanthin, removing beta-carotene, or reducing zinc.

The takeaway: Adding omega-3 fatty acids to the mix probably won’t help, but replacing beta-carotene with the lutein with zeaxanthin might be a good idea because beta-carotene is proven to increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers and former smokers.

Although adding omega-3 fatty acids or lutein and zeaxanthin to the formulation produced no overall benefits, investigators did find some benefits when they analyzed two subgroups of participants: those not given beta-carotene, and those who had very little lutein and zeaxanthin in their diets.

Participants with low dietary intake of the lutein and zeaxanthin who consumed more of these antioxidants during the study were about 25 percent less likely to develop advanced macular degeneration.

Macular degeneration breaks down cells in the back of the eye necessary for tasks such as reading, driving, and recognizing faces. Macular degeneration can lead to significant vision loss and, in the United States, is the leading cause of blindness. About 2 million Americans have advanced macular degeneration; another 8 million are at risk.

Although in the NIH study omega-3 acids were not found to boost the effectiveness of this particular formulation for eye health, omega 3s have proven to be good for blood vessels, dry eye and heart health — and a healthy heart keeps other organs and systems in top form.

Dr. Jeff Pinkerton
iCare for you.