The National Eye Institute has just published a fact sheet for consumers which helps clarify the use of vitamin supplements for persons with Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD). The fact sheet published May 5, 2013 gives explanation and recommendations for supplement use in reducing the progress of ARMD. The National Eye Institute recommends that patients with the following types of ARMD should be taking a product based on the just published AREDS2 study:
1. Intermediate AMD in one or both eyes usually involves little or no vision loss.
2. Advanced AMD in one eye, but not the other eye. Advanced AMD involves either a breakdown of cells in the retina (called geographic atrophy or dry AMD), or the growth of abnormal blood vessels under the retina (called neovascular or wet AMD). Either of these forms of advanced AMD can cause vision loss.
You may read the entire Fact Sheet by clicking on the following link:
http://www.nei.nih.gov/areds2/PatientFAQ.asp
Showing posts with label nutrition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nutrition. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Nutrients May Help Provide Eye Health In Aging Individuals
The following brief article from Medscape points out the importance of nutrition for older people. If you have macular degeneration or are closely related to someone who does be sure to get your doctor's recommendation for supplements. This is something that I always discuss with macular degeneration patients and their children.
Medscape (4/18, Hitt) reports, "Several nutrients, including zinc, vitamins C and E, lutein, zeaxanthin, and long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, help promote eye health in aging individuals, according to a statement from a roundtable of experts convened by the Ocular Nutrition Society (ONS)." The expert panel, "led by Jeffrey Anshel, OD, president of the ONS, included eight experts in ophthalmology, optometry, diet and nutrition, and primary care." Members of the "roundtable concluded that the displacement of 'nutrient-dense foods by processed foods in the Western, or American, diet is disconcerting, as is the lack of awareness of key nutrients and other modifiable risk factors that impact eye health,' and they encouraged eating a healthy diet rich in nutrients."
Medscape (4/18, Hitt) reports, "Several nutrients, including zinc, vitamins C and E, lutein, zeaxanthin, and long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, help promote eye health in aging individuals, according to a statement from a roundtable of experts convened by the Ocular Nutrition Society (ONS)." The expert panel, "led by Jeffrey Anshel, OD, president of the ONS, included eight experts in ophthalmology, optometry, diet and nutrition, and primary care." Members of the "roundtable concluded that the displacement of 'nutrient-dense foods by processed foods in the Western, or American, diet is disconcerting, as is the lack of awareness of key nutrients and other modifiable risk factors that impact eye health,' and they encouraged eating a healthy diet rich in nutrients."
Friday, July 15, 2011
Vitamins to Prevent Vision Loss
July 14, 2011, 12:58 pm
Vitamins to Prevent Vision Loss
By THE NEW YORK TIMES
Josh Ritchie for The New York Times
This week, Stephen Rose, chief research officer for the Foundation Fighting Blindness, joined the Consults blog to answer reader questions about age-related macular degeneration and related disorders. Several readers had questions about vitamins and nutrients to combat the vision loss of macular degeneration.
Q.I am 68 and my eye doctor recently said I have precursor signs of macular degeneration. She recommended the Areds vitamin formula, 2 times each day. Do you think the vitamins really do any good to prevent development of macular degeneration? Is there anything else that you recommend to prevent it?
Reader, Bangor, Me.
Q.My 82-year-old mom has macular degeneration and is urging me to take a particular brand of very high-dose vitamins that claims to preserve vision. Is there a benefit to these products?
annieb3, Calif.
A.Dr. Stephen Rose responds:
The National Eye Institute at the National Institutes of Health conducted the first Age-Related Eye Disease Study, known as Areds, which evaluated supplements for slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration. The first Areds study enrolled about 3,600 patients who took a combination of antioxidants and zinc. The formula included specific amounts of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, zinc and copper.
For people who had intermediate-stage age-related macular degeneration, or A.M.D., the formula reduced the risk of developing advanced disease by 25 percent. The formula also led to a 19 percent reduction in vision loss for people with intermediate A.M.D. in one or both eyes, or advanced dry or wet A.M.D. in only one eye. The Areds study also showed that age and smoking influenced progression of A.M.D. The formula did not have any apparent benefit for people without A.M.D. or with early disease.
The Areds formula is now available over the counter from pharmacies and other retail outlets, but you should take it only if your doctor recommends it.
Diet alone cannot provide the same high levels of antioxidants and zinc as the Areds formulation. Also, standard daily multivitamins cannot substitute for taking the Areds formula supplement. However, diets rich in green leafy vegetables have been shown to lower the risk of developing A.M.D.
It is important for you to talk with your doctor about your stage of A.M.D. and whether the Areds formula is right for you. No one can tell you how fast your A.M.D. will progress, but if you don’t smoke and eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, you are reducing your risk of vision loss from A.M.D.
The National Eye Institute is currently conducting a second Areds study, called Areds II, which is evaluating a second supplement for reducing the risk of vision loss from macular degeneration. The Areds II supplement contains DHA, EPA, lutein and zeaxanthin. DHA and EPA are found in the oils of cold-water fish like tuna and salmon. Lutein and zeaxanthin are prevalent in colorful fruits and vegetables. No results from Areds II have been reported yet.
Q.A study in (I think) The Archives of Ophthalmology from Rotterdam showed that nutritional intervention in carriers of genes predisposing for age-related macular degeneration, more than half the risk to get the disease by just making sure one gets enough lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc and omega-3 in their diet. Just test early and suggest the intervention while awaiting results of research in novel treatments (forget the protein that was described as defective a few months ago).
acstas, bangkok
A.Dr. Stephen Rose responds:
Regardless of whether you have age-related macular degeneration or are predisposed to getting A.M.D. because it runs in your family, maintaining a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA), lutein and zeaxanthin is a good idea. If your diet includes cold-water fish like tuna and salmon, which are rich in DHA and EPA, and lots of leafy and colorful fruits and vegetables, rich in lutein, zeaxanthin and several other protective nutrients, you are likely to be healthier than if you ate a lot of junk food.
The Rotterdam study you reference suggests that a diet rich in the nutrients mentioned above prevents age-related macular degeneration. However, the Rotterdam study looked retrospectively at people’s dietary habits through a questionnaire, so it is scientifically less reliable than a prospective study like the Age-Related Eye Disease Study II, which is much better controlled in terms of who is in the study and what nutrients they are consuming. In Areds II, participants are being studied over time as they follow a strict protocol of nutrient intake.
The National Eye Institute is conducting Areds II because of the evidence that DHA, EPA, lutein, and zeaxanthin may lower macular degeneration risk. Because the study is so well controlled, I believe it will give us the best information about what really works and what doesn’t.
Keep in mind that taking large amounts of vitamins and nutrients can be unhealthy. That’s another reason these controlled studies are important; they give us an understanding of the right amounts of nutrients we need for optimal health.
Q.I have macular degeneration and have been taking the Areds formula capsules twice a day for several years on the advice of my excellent retinal specialist. My M.D. is stable and has not become worse since I began taking the Areds. I also take 1,000 milligrams of omega-3 every day. So far, so good.
Liz, Albany, Calif.
A.Dr. Stephen Rose responds:
I am glad to hear that you have found a good retinal specialist and a treatment approach that is working. It is imperative that everyone with age-related macular degeneration see an eye doctor regularly, and that the doctor answer your questions and respond to your needs and concerns. Vigilance is critical with A.M.D. You need to stay on top of the condition to ensure it isn’t getting worse, and if it does, take whatever action or treatment you can to reduce your chance of vision loss. If you have any significant changes in your vision, get to your doctor as quickly as possible.
Vitamins to Prevent Vision Loss
By THE NEW YORK TIMES
Josh Ritchie for The New York Times
This week, Stephen Rose, chief research officer for the Foundation Fighting Blindness, joined the Consults blog to answer reader questions about age-related macular degeneration and related disorders. Several readers had questions about vitamins and nutrients to combat the vision loss of macular degeneration.
Q.I am 68 and my eye doctor recently said I have precursor signs of macular degeneration. She recommended the Areds vitamin formula, 2 times each day. Do you think the vitamins really do any good to prevent development of macular degeneration? Is there anything else that you recommend to prevent it?
Reader, Bangor, Me.
Q.My 82-year-old mom has macular degeneration and is urging me to take a particular brand of very high-dose vitamins that claims to preserve vision. Is there a benefit to these products?
annieb3, Calif.
A.Dr. Stephen Rose responds:
The National Eye Institute at the National Institutes of Health conducted the first Age-Related Eye Disease Study, known as Areds, which evaluated supplements for slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration. The first Areds study enrolled about 3,600 patients who took a combination of antioxidants and zinc. The formula included specific amounts of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, zinc and copper.
For people who had intermediate-stage age-related macular degeneration, or A.M.D., the formula reduced the risk of developing advanced disease by 25 percent. The formula also led to a 19 percent reduction in vision loss for people with intermediate A.M.D. in one or both eyes, or advanced dry or wet A.M.D. in only one eye. The Areds study also showed that age and smoking influenced progression of A.M.D. The formula did not have any apparent benefit for people without A.M.D. or with early disease.
The Areds formula is now available over the counter from pharmacies and other retail outlets, but you should take it only if your doctor recommends it.
Diet alone cannot provide the same high levels of antioxidants and zinc as the Areds formulation. Also, standard daily multivitamins cannot substitute for taking the Areds formula supplement. However, diets rich in green leafy vegetables have been shown to lower the risk of developing A.M.D.
It is important for you to talk with your doctor about your stage of A.M.D. and whether the Areds formula is right for you. No one can tell you how fast your A.M.D. will progress, but if you don’t smoke and eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, you are reducing your risk of vision loss from A.M.D.
The National Eye Institute is currently conducting a second Areds study, called Areds II, which is evaluating a second supplement for reducing the risk of vision loss from macular degeneration. The Areds II supplement contains DHA, EPA, lutein and zeaxanthin. DHA and EPA are found in the oils of cold-water fish like tuna and salmon. Lutein and zeaxanthin are prevalent in colorful fruits and vegetables. No results from Areds II have been reported yet.
Q.A study in (I think) The Archives of Ophthalmology from Rotterdam showed that nutritional intervention in carriers of genes predisposing for age-related macular degeneration, more than half the risk to get the disease by just making sure one gets enough lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc and omega-3 in their diet. Just test early and suggest the intervention while awaiting results of research in novel treatments (forget the protein that was described as defective a few months ago).
acstas, bangkok
A.Dr. Stephen Rose responds:
Regardless of whether you have age-related macular degeneration or are predisposed to getting A.M.D. because it runs in your family, maintaining a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA), lutein and zeaxanthin is a good idea. If your diet includes cold-water fish like tuna and salmon, which are rich in DHA and EPA, and lots of leafy and colorful fruits and vegetables, rich in lutein, zeaxanthin and several other protective nutrients, you are likely to be healthier than if you ate a lot of junk food.
The Rotterdam study you reference suggests that a diet rich in the nutrients mentioned above prevents age-related macular degeneration. However, the Rotterdam study looked retrospectively at people’s dietary habits through a questionnaire, so it is scientifically less reliable than a prospective study like the Age-Related Eye Disease Study II, which is much better controlled in terms of who is in the study and what nutrients they are consuming. In Areds II, participants are being studied over time as they follow a strict protocol of nutrient intake.
The National Eye Institute is conducting Areds II because of the evidence that DHA, EPA, lutein, and zeaxanthin may lower macular degeneration risk. Because the study is so well controlled, I believe it will give us the best information about what really works and what doesn’t.
Keep in mind that taking large amounts of vitamins and nutrients can be unhealthy. That’s another reason these controlled studies are important; they give us an understanding of the right amounts of nutrients we need for optimal health.
Q.I have macular degeneration and have been taking the Areds formula capsules twice a day for several years on the advice of my excellent retinal specialist. My M.D. is stable and has not become worse since I began taking the Areds. I also take 1,000 milligrams of omega-3 every day. So far, so good.
Liz, Albany, Calif.
A.Dr. Stephen Rose responds:
I am glad to hear that you have found a good retinal specialist and a treatment approach that is working. It is imperative that everyone with age-related macular degeneration see an eye doctor regularly, and that the doctor answer your questions and respond to your needs and concerns. Vigilance is critical with A.M.D. You need to stay on top of the condition to ensure it isn’t getting worse, and if it does, take whatever action or treatment you can to reduce your chance of vision loss. If you have any significant changes in your vision, get to your doctor as quickly as possible.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Column explains how eggs may decrease the risk of macular degeneration
The following article from AOA First Look, April 28, 2009 shows an interesting way of consuming more lutein and zeaxanthin, which are known to be beneficial to those with macular degeneration or to those at risk of the disease. Another way of obtaining the nutrients that promote macular health is through proper supplementation. Your doctor should be able to recommend products based on AREDS research and the studies that followed AREDS. This is something that a low vision doctor will recommend to all macular degeneration patients. I recommend supplements that contain all of the helpful nutrients. I believe that is preferable to making up your own combination of ingredients that you have heard may help.
In a syndicated column appearing in Canada's Niagara Falls Review (4/27), W. Gifford-Jones, MD, wrote that eggs "contain lutein and zeaxanthin, known as carotenoids, that help to decrease the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)," a disease that "affects central vision and is the leading cause of blindness for people over 65 years of age." According to research done by Dr. John Landrum, of Florida International University, who "is a world authority on macular pigments," patients "with the highest intakes of lutein and zeaxanthin had 43 percent less chance of developing" AMD. In addition, a "study from the National Institute of Health...found that those with the lowest level of carotenoids had the highest risk of AMD." Recent data from the National Cancer Institute "show the overall decline of lutein intake.known This decrease in dietary lutein was particularly striking in those groups at risk of macular degeneration." Scientists "believe that lutein and zeaxanthin protect the macula by absorbing harmful blue light rays from the sun's rays," and may "act as antioxidants that neutralize free radicals, the end products of metabolism that are believed to cause aging."
In a syndicated column appearing in Canada's Niagara Falls Review (4/27), W. Gifford-Jones, MD, wrote that eggs "contain lutein and zeaxanthin, known as carotenoids, that help to decrease the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)," a disease that "affects central vision and is the leading cause of blindness for people over 65 years of age." According to research done by Dr. John Landrum, of Florida International University, who "is a world authority on macular pigments," patients "with the highest intakes of lutein and zeaxanthin had 43 percent less chance of developing" AMD. In addition, a "study from the National Institute of Health...found that those with the lowest level of carotenoids had the highest risk of AMD." Recent data from the National Cancer Institute "show the overall decline of lutein intake.known This decrease in dietary lutein was particularly striking in those groups at risk of macular degeneration." Scientists "believe that lutein and zeaxanthin protect the macula by absorbing harmful blue light rays from the sun's rays," and may "act as antioxidants that neutralize free radicals, the end products of metabolism that are believed to cause aging."
Friday, February 27, 2009
New Macular Degeneration Research
There has been a new study published that links folic acid and vitamin B to possible reduction of macular degeneration. Additional studies are needed to verify these findings. This brief report is from AOA First Look, an online news service of the American Optometric Association.
"Folic acid, B-vitamin combination may help prevent macular degeneration, researchers say.
Following a USA Today story, KLAS-TV Las Vegas (2/25, 12:44 p.m. MT, Francis), a CBS affiliate, reported in a health segment, "Aside from Alzheimer's, probably the cruelest disease of aging is macular degeneration," a condition that "slowly eliminates central vision. ... Eventually, the lost area almost fills the field of vision, leaving only peripheral images." Now, "researchers at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital" have "found that a combination of folic acid and vitamins B-6 and B-12 lowered the chances of age-related macular degeneration by 35 to 40 percent" in a multiyear study of "middle-aged women taking the supplements."
"Folic acid, B-vitamin combination may help prevent macular degeneration, researchers say.
Following a USA Today story, KLAS-TV Las Vegas (2/25, 12:44 p.m. MT, Francis), a CBS affiliate, reported in a health segment, "Aside from Alzheimer's, probably the cruelest disease of aging is macular degeneration," a condition that "slowly eliminates central vision. ... Eventually, the lost area almost fills the field of vision, leaving only peripheral images." Now, "researchers at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital" have "found that a combination of folic acid and vitamins B-6 and B-12 lowered the chances of age-related macular degeneration by 35 to 40 percent" in a multiyear study of "middle-aged women taking the supplements."
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