Macular Degeneration: Nutritional Supplements

Clinical studies have shown that taking the right combination of nutritional supplements can be beneficial in the fight against Age Related Macular Degeneration, or AMD. One study, known as the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), has shown that multi-vitamins rich in nutrients called antioxidants, plus eye vitamins and minerals, can actually reduce the risk of progression of moderate to advanced AMD, and its associated vision loss. Vitamins C, E, and A, are nutrients rich in antioxidants. They are most abundant in dark, green, leafy vegetables such as spinach, red foods such as peppers, and orange foods such as carrots. While eating foods rich in antioxidants may help, the AREDS study also offers indications that people at higher risk of AMD, should take additional nutritional supplements of zinc and copper. Newer research has shown that supplements of Zeaxanthin (Zee-en-zan-thehn) and Lutein (Loo-teen), are also important for AMD risk reduction. Clinical studies have shown that among those AMD patients most at risk, taking the prescribed combination of nutritional eye vitamin supplements, can help preserve eye health, and reduce the risk of having the disease progress to a more advanced stage. Ask your eye care professional which multi-nutritional eye vitamins are right for you.