Lutein Dosage
by Carolyn
(Boulder, CO)
My mother has wet macular degeneration and she is 82 years old. I have no signs of it yet - but want to try to prevent or delay it. How much lutein should I take?
Reply
Hi Carolyn,
Besides living a healthy lifestyle which includes a good diet high in antioxidants, regular exercise, not smoking or excessive drinking, wearing 100% UVA/UVB protecting sunglasses when outside, and supplementing daily with targeted nutrients can dramatically reduce the risk of onset of macular degeneration.
There are a number of peer review research studies that show that supplementing with just 6mg per day of lutein reduces the risk of macular degeneration by 53% or more, while adding a regular diet of cold water fish (or better yet in our opinion supplementing with a high quality fish oil daily) can also cut the risk of onset of macular degeneration by 50% or more.
To read more about research regarding macular degeneration and nutrition click here:
Macular Degeneration Lutein Research
Take Care,
Michael Edson, MS, L.Ac.
Natural Eye Care
845-255-8222
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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
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Eye Vitamin and Mineral Supplements and Vitamin E
by Frederick
(Hackettstown New Jersey USA)
I have read several articles about over doses of vitamine E. I have Wet MD in my right eye and was taking PreserVision Eye Vitamins + a reular multi vitamine for over age 50.
The Eye vitamins contain a whopping 200 IU of vitamine E, 667%. I have just recently been diagnosted for irregular heart best.
Are there any studies as to the use of these eye vitamins and over doses of vitamine E. Thank you.
REPLY
There are varying studies about the benefits of supplementing with Vitamin E, as well as warnings as to the proper dosage.
In general, the recommended dosage is 400IU of Vitamin per day, or up to 800IU per day.
Vitamin E does have blood thinning properties, so you should consult your doctor if there
concerns about this regarding your health status.
The Women's Health Study found a 24 percent reduction in cardiovascular deaths among the nearly 20,000 women who took vitamin E supplements over a 10-year period compared with the nearly 20,000 other study participants who
were given placebo.
For women 65 and over, the study reported that taking vitamin E supplements had an even greater positive effect.
Among that population, there was a 49 percent reduction in cardiovascular death and a 34 percent reduction in heart attack.
The WHS finding on safety is consistent with a recent review of scientific literature published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, which found vitamin E is safe at daily intakes of 1600 IU. (Vitamin E supplements most commonly contain 400 IU.).
Though again discuss with your health care professional if you are interested in taking dosages of Vitamin E above 400-800 IU per day.
There are some studies that suggest that higher dosages of Vitamin E may negatively effect heart health, but these studies are often under question because they only used one type of synthetic Vitamin E, and not the mixed
Tocopherols that provide the most benefit.
Regarding eye health, there are also numerous studies showing the benefits of supplementing with Vitamin E for macular degeneration including the 2001 AREDS study which used 400IU per day of Vitamin E.
Take care,
Michael Edson, MS, L.Ac.
Natural Eye Care
845-255-8222
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All Natural Vitamins
by Ron
(Canada)
Do you carry a natural whole food multivitamin rather than taking a lot of different vitamins? Thanks
Answer
Yes Ron, there are natural whole food multivitamins that include essential nutrients.
Taking a whole food vitamin benefits the body by being better absorbed and utilized by the body - much better than synthetic, single vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C, Zinc, etc.
To learn more click here:
All Natural Vitamins
Leslie Degner, RN, BSN
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