Nutrition and Macular - Macular Degeneration Foundation

TMFACT SHEETSupplementsand MacularDegenerationResearch on SupplementationWhat are supplements?Supplements are vitamins, minerals or othersubstances taken in addition to the diet.What research has been done in relationto supplements and MD?The Age Related Eye Disease StudyNo. 8 (AREDS) was a major clinical trialconducted by the National Eye Institute inthe U.S.A. The results were published inOctober 2001 in the journal, “Archives ofOphthalmology.”What were they researching?The purpose of the trial was to assess theclinical course, prognosis and risk factorsof age related MD. The AREDS Study alsoevaluated, in randomised clinical trials,the effects of antioxidants and zinc onthe progression of Age-Related MD.Who was studied?A total of 4,757 people were enrolled in thetrial. The people studied were categorisedinto four groups, from those with minimalsigns of the disease in either eye to relativelysevere MD (vision loss in one eye but goodvision in the other eye). People on the trialwere followed up on average 6.3 years later.What were the results?The study showed that taking supplementscontaining high levels of antioxidants pluszinc, significantly reduced the risk ofdeveloping late stage MD and delayedvisual loss.The study concluded that those in theintermediate stages of MD (i.e. the groupmost likely to progress to late stages ofthe disease and experience severe visualloss) reduced their risk of progression byapproximately 25% when taking the highdose zinc and antioxidant formula.In this same group of people, the studyfound a 20% reduction in the risk of visionloss caused by late stage MD.Positive results were also found in thosewho took only zinc and those who tookonly antioxidants; but neither was aseffective as the combined formula. Thestudy was not designed to answer whetherhigh dose antioxidants and zinc are ofbenefit for those with NO signs of MD orthose with advanced disease in both eyes.Important InformationIt is very important for you to discuss anysupplementation with your health careprofessional. They can help you determinewhich formulation and dosages are best.This is especially important if you arealready taking daily vitamin and mineralsupplements or any other medications.In addition to the study formulation mostpeople also took a daily multi-vitamin.The impact of taking a high dose, longterm antioxidant - zinc combinationsupplements for greater than eight yearsis not known.Fact Sheet - Supplements and Macular Degeneration