Antioxidant Research

Antioxidant Benefits in Macular Degeneration Clinical Trials

The 2005 study in the Netherlands sought to evaluate whether antioxidants that are present in normal foods could play a role in preventing age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

At the beginning of the study, 5,836 people living in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, who were at risk of AMD were identified. Of these, 4,170 participated in the eight-year follow-up.

Participants were asked to fill out food questionnaires and were given periodic eye exams.

People who consumed higher levels of

Vitamin E and

Zinc

had about a 10 percent lower risk of developing age related macular degeneration .

Those who had an above-average intake of

Beta Carotene,

Vitamin C,

Vitamin E and

Zinc

had a 35 percent reduced risk of AMD.

Adding nutritional supplements to people who already had a high intake of these nutrients did not change the results.

People who consumed below-average amounts of these macular degeneration antioxidants had a 20 percent increased risk of developing AMD, the study said.

"It's great news," said Dr. Robert Cykiert, a professor of ophthalmology at New York University School of Medicine. "It's an excellent way to prevent a condition that's difficult to treat."

AGe Related Eye Disease Study

The results stated that the AREDS "found that taking high levels of antioxidants and zinc can reduce the risk of developing advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by about 25 percent." NIH News Release Friday, October 12, 2001

If you'd like to know more about this study and what antioxidants and nutrients were used click here: Age Related Eye Disease Study

Antioxidant Research in the AREDS 2

It is designed to assess the effects of oral supplementation of high doses of the macular degeneration antioxidants,

lutein and

zeaxanthin, and

omega-3 LCPUFAs (DHA and EPA)

for the treatment of AMD and cataract. Although, they are no longer recruiting participants for the study you can check out the details of the study by clicking here: Age Related Eye Disease Study 2

Again this study is related to those who have been diagnosed with AMD and not as a study on the prevention of macular degeneration.

Antioxidant Therapy used at Treatment for Macular Degeneration

You can check them out by clicking the link below: Antioxidant Research for Macular Degeneration

Macular Degeneration and Lutein

1) Long Term Effects of Lutein/Zeaxanthin and Omega-3- Supplementation on Optical Density of AMD Patients (LUTEGA)

"The primary objective of LUTEGA is it to determine the long term effect (about 1 year) of the supplementation with a fixed combination of these carotenoids and omega-3- fatty acids on the optical density (OD) of macular pigment in patients with non- exudative age related maculopathy." Study is in Germany.

2) Enhancement of Macular Pigment Density by Oral Lutein Supplementation (EMPOLS)

"The primary objective of EMPOLS is an increase in macular pigment density (MPD) after six months supplementation of oral non-compound ester Lutein 10 mg daily, contained in VitaluxPlus®. Primary variable for a significant change will be 10% increase compared to baseline MPD." This study is in Switzerland. Click here to learn more: Macullar Degeneration and Lutein Clinical Trials

For More Information:

Go from Antioxidant Research to Macular Degeneration Antioxidants

Contact Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

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