Vitamins for Macular Degeneration

Vitamins for macular degeneration often include antioxidants and minerals that were used in the Age Related Eye Disease Study.



Vitamins for Eyes

There are also some other nutrients and antioxidants, like bilberry, lutein and zeaxanthin, that you may want to consider.

In addition to a macular degeneration diet, there are some vitamins for eyes that you may want to know more about. Such as...

Lutein for the Eyes

Lutein and zeaxanthin are vitamins for macular degeneration that are well known for their beneficial effect on what is called the macular pigment.

As with all other vitamins, it is found in many food sources or a person can use supplements to get these vitamins for macular degeneration. To read more about lutein supplements click here: Lutein for the Eyes

Zeaxanthin

Usually you will see zeaxanthin and lutein together. That's because they are pigments both found in the macula. While the lutein is concentrated mostly in the rod cells of your retina, the cone cells, which are responsible for detailed central vision, have a high concentration of zeaxanthin.

Both of these pigments are so prevalent in the macula they are called the macular pigment. To learn more about zeaxanthin food sources and zeaxanthin supplements click here: Zeaxanthin

But first lets look at why we need to consider supplementing in addition to eating a macular degeneration diet.

Natural Whole Food Vitamin

There are three options for buying a vitamin and mineral. They are:

1) Synthetic, man-made in the laboratory

2) Whole foods from fruit or vegetable extracts or single fruit product like Aloe Vera or Gogi

3) Natural, plant-sourced vitamin/mineral

Let's talk about how these three are different and which one is best for your health. To learn more click here: All Natural Vitamins

Macular Degeneration Nutritional Supplements

If you are interested in preventing age related macular degeneration (AMD) or if you have been diagnosed with AMD, you are probably wondering if there are special vitamins for macular degeneration and if you should take them.

AREDS Study

When it comes to vitamins for macular degeneration the most important study is the Age Related Eye Disease Study (known as AREDS).

According to the U.S. Federal government's National Eye Institutethe Age-Related Eye Disease Study 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."

"the AREDS formulation, while not a cure for AMD, may play a key role in helping people at high risk for developing advanced AMD keep their remaining vision."Click here to learn more about this antioxidant research: Age Related Eye Disease Study

AREDS Vitamins

The specific daily amounts of antioxidants and zinc used by the study researchers were:

√ 500 milligrams of vitamin C

√ 400 International Units of vitamin E

√ 15 milligrams of beta-carotene (often labeled as equivalent to 25,000 International Units of vitamin A)

√ 80 milligrams of zinc as zinc oxide

√ 2 milligrams of copper as cupric oxide

Copper was added to the AREDS formulations containing zinc to prevent copper deficiency anemia, a condition associated with high levels of zinc intake.

To read more click here: AREDS Vitamins

The three most well known AREDS vitamins are Ocuvite Preservision, ICaps AREDS Formula and Visivite.

1. Ocuvite Preservision

Ocuvite Preservision was the vitamin and mineral supplement used in the National Eye Institute (NEI) age-related eye study (AREDS).To learn more about these AREDS vitamins click here: Ocuvite Preservision

2. ICaps Vitamins

Icaps vitamins are from Alcon a global company based in Hünenberg, Switzerland. They offer 3 different formulas with one containing lutein and zeaxanthin. To learn more about these vitamins for eyes click here: ICaps Vitamins

3. Visivite

These eye vitamins were developed by Dr. Paul Krawitz, an ophthalmologist in New York. Several formulas are available.

1. Visivite Original AREDS Vitamins

2. Visivite AREDS 2 Formula

In anticipation of positive results from this study, Dr. Krawitz has developed a AREDS 2 Formula of macular degeneration vitamins called VisiVite Premier Ocular Formula Number 2.

To learn more about these macular degeneration nutritional supplements click here: Visivite

Zinc Supplement

Zinc is the second most abundant trace element in the body after iron. Zinc deficiency may contribute to macular degeneration. According to the Beaver Dam Eye Study, published in 1996, there is a link between low zinc intakes and risk of macular degeneration.

To learn more about this important mineral click here: Zinc Supplement

Vitamin B Complex

Vitamin B complex benefits the eyes and especially the macula according to a recent observational study reported on in the Archives of Internal Medicine in February of 2009. To learn about the significant conclusion about vitamin B's and macular degeneration prevention click here: Vitamin B Complex

Good Manufacturing Practices

Not only is it important to know what nutrients should be included in your vitamin, it is essential that the vitamins are made by a company that practices Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

Surprising to me, many nutritional and supplemental products do not always contain the ingredients or the amounts listed on a bottle. You want to be confident that you are getting what your body needs and what you are paying for.

Good Manufacturing Practices is a certification that a vitamin or supplement company will proudly display. This is a third-party certification program which includes inspections of manufacturing facilities to determine whether specified performance standards are being met. To learn more about what these standards include click here. Good Manufacturing Practices

Macular Degeneration Antioxidants

Antioxidants offer protection from free radical damage. Free radical damage is one of the main factors that cause aging and degeneration of the body, including the macula. If you are thinking about supplementing with vitamins for macular degeneration, you should also consider including antioxidants in your fight against macular degeneration.

To learn how macular degeneration antioxidants can help protect the macula click here: Macular Degeneration Antioxidants

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