Beta carotene & Macular Degeneration

by Jacky

I always thought that beta carotene (and vitamin a- oral or topically,) could only help offset macular degeneration, but I heard a doctor
on the radio saying to avoid it.

Answser

The research is very clear that betacarotene/ Vitamin A taken internally is essential for retinal health, so I am not sure what the Dr. was referring to.

Supplementing with Vitamin A for those with Stargardt's Disease (Juvenile Macular Degeneration) is considered by some researchers to be contraindicated due to gene mutations that may lead to abnormal synthesis of the vitamin in the eye.

So maybe this was what the Dr. was referring to, but no research I have seen has this vitamin to be contraindicated for Age Related Macular Degeneration.

On the contrary, the AREDS study showed
supplementing with betacarotene along with other specific nutrients helped prevent dry macular degeneration from turning to wet macular degeneration.

Take care,

Michael Edson, MS, L.Ac.

Natural Eye Care

845-255-8222