According to the U.S. Federal government's National Eye Institute the 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" and "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."
AREDS Formula Eye 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.
Age Related Eye Disease Study 2
Currently the National Eye Institute has recruited 4,000 participants in its Age Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS). 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.
The stated purpose is:
1) To evaluate the effect of the two carotenoids,lutein and zeaxanthin,that accumulate in macula and two omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) on progression to advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and/or moderate vision loss in people at moderate to high risk for progression.
2) To evaluate the effects of eliminating beta-carotene from the original AREDS formulation on the development and progression of AMD.
3) To evaluate the effects of reducing zinc in the original AREDS formulation on the development and progression of AMD.
4) To contribute data for validation of the photographic AMD scales developed from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study.
The Age Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS 2) is a phase III study that is ongoing but it is not recruiting new participants. The estimated study completion date is June 2013.
To read more about AREDS Vitamins click on the link below:
http://www.webrn-maculardegeneration.com/vitamins-for-macular-degeneration.html
Leslie Degner, RN,BSN
Better Health For Better Vision
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Leslie_Degner
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