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Macular Degeneration Study Supports Supplementation

MACULAR DEGENERATION STUDY SUPPORTS SUPPLEMENTATION

WHAT DO HEART DISEASE, STROKES AND ALZHEIMER'S HAVE IN COMMON? 3 B VITAMINS

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of legal blindness for people over 60 years. It affects about 13 million Americans, and it is more common in women than in men. A recent NIH six-year study involving 4,757 participants concluded that vitamin supplementation reduces advanced macular degeneration development by 25%.

Macular degeneration affects the central portion of the visual field. Located in the posterior of the retina, the macula has the highest concentration of photoreceptors in the retina. It is key to central vision and perception of color and fine details. Damage to macular cells distorts the center of the visual field, impairing the ability to focus directly ahead, recognize faces, and read.

The National Eye Institute (National Institute for Health) examined whether antioxidants plus zinc could slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration. They found that the development of advanced age-related macular degeneration was significantly reduced with antioxidants Vitamin C (500 mg/d), Vitamin E (400 IU/d), Beta Carotene (15 mg/d) and zinc (80 mg/d).

As indicated below, these levels are too high to reach with a daily diet:

Equivalent Daily Food Intake

Vitamin C (500 mg/d)	4 cups of orange juice or 21/2 cups of black currants
Vitamin E (400 IU/d)	12 lbs peanuts or 15 tablespoons of wheat germ
Beta carotene (15 mg/d)	21/2 raw carrots or 3 cups of boiled spinach
Zinc (80 mg/d)	32 oysters or 36 cups of plain low-fat yogurt

Accordingly, doctors should prescribe high dosages of antioxidants plus zinc for patients with intermediate-stage AMD who have no contraindications. While this treatment may forestall the advance of AMD, unfortunately there are no proven treatments to slow or stop the disease.

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