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Natural supplement for macular degneration
Evidence has been accumulating for years, and now researchers have made an announcement: they have developed a natural antioxidant supplement that may slow down progression of macular degeneration, an incurable eye disease that can result in blindness.
Why the study is important
The five-year research program was conducted by scientists from Queen’s Centre of Vision and Vascular Science and Waterford Institute of Technology. It was the first randomized, controlled clinical trial to document that maintaining certain pigments in the macula can improve function and slow progression from early to late age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
More than 400 people participated in clinical trials that evaluated whether carotenoids—antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables—altered progression of macular degeneration. The good news is that the evidence says they do. And unlike expensive drug- or procedure-based treatments, a natural antioxidant supplement is affordable and easy to use.
About the antioxidant supplement
The supplement was named CARMA (Carotenoids and Co-antioxidants in Age-related Maculopathy) and contains the carotenoids luteine and zeaxanthin, as well as the antioxidants vitamins C and E, and the mineral zinc. In several previous studies, all of these nutrients were found to benefit people who have AMD.
For several years, the supplement industry has been promoting the use of various nutrients to benefit vision. As the number of studies demonstrating the effectiveness of these nutrients grew, more and more doctors began recommending supplements to their patients. This latest study is a “green light” for people to more readily accept this alternative and accessible approach to treating AMD.
Taking supplements for AMD
The nutrients named in CARMA are available either singly or in combination products that contain two or more. Recommendations for doses are offered by various authorities. One suggestion is 250 mg vitamin C, 200 mg vitamin E, 25 mg zinc, 500 mcg zeaxanthin, and 10 mg lutein. The AREDS (Age-related Eye Disease Study) used 250 mg vitamin C and 400 IU vitamin E (equal to about 270 mg).
If you want to take the nutrients named in CARMA, your first stop should be a knowledgeable health-care provider who specializes in vision care and nutrition. He or she can advise you on the most beneficial doses based on your needs and current supplement-taking practices. Remember: if you are already taking supplements, you should check the labels to see how much of the vision nutrients you may be taking already.
You may also want to read:
“B vitamins may help prevent macular degeneration”
“Omega-3 fatty acids protect against macular degeneration”
“Reduce your risk of macular degeneration through diet”
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