Supplements and Age-Related Loss of Eyesight

Supplements and Age-Related Loss of Eyesight

The holistic approach encourages the use of supplements to strengthen the bodies natural healing ability but we always keep in mind that this is only one small part of the puzzle. Physical fitness is essential to keeping your eye sight with this disease state. I have as of 7/2005 observed the diets and lifestyles of over 2000 patients and I am convinced that without a significant and daily program of exercise and lifestyle changes, anyone with macular degeneration is in a losing battle.

Here are some of the data we have collected for your reference. Much of this has been implemented in my practice since the '80's.

One of the most widespread effects of aging is weakening eyesight. In the United States, the most common cause for decreased eyesight and blindness in people over 65 years old is age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a disease that affects a specific part of the retina. Currently, there is no proven conventional therapy to slow or prevent the development of AMD. However, a new study in the Archives of Ophthalmology,¹ reports that the use of antioxidants together with zinc may reduce the risk of developing AMD and, therefore, loss of vision.

As part of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, 3,640 participants between the ages of 55 and 80 were followed over a six-year period. Each person had some degree of retinal changes, ranging from mild to severe. They were divided into groups to receive daily intakes of either (1) antioxidants, including 500 mg of vitamin C, 400 IU of vitamin E, and 15 mg of beta-carotene; (2) 80 mg of zinc and 2 mg of copper; (3) antioxidants plus zinc (no copper); or (4) no supplements at all. The researchers found that taking antioxidants reduced the risk of developing AMD by 17%, and zinc lowered the risk by 21%. An even more profound decline in risk was found when antioxidants and zinc were taken together, reducing the risk 25%. In addition, the combination of antioxidants and zinc led to a 27% decrease in the risk of having eyesight worsen. Those who had more severe retinal problems had the largest drop in risk of developing AMD. No significant side effects were recorded in those taking antioxidants or zinc.

In a related study that included the same group of participants, neither antioxidants alone nor antioxidants in combination with zinc reduced the development or progression of cataracts,² a disease that affects the lens of the eye and can lead to vision loss. The amounts of antioxidants used in the cataract trial were identical to those used in the AMD study.

The results of this study are promising as there now may be an effective treatment for a common, and often debilitating, condition. Since no conventional treatment currently exists, antioxidant and zinc supplementation seems worth trying, especially since they appear to be safe and are relatively inexpensive. It should be noted that the amount of zinc used in this study is much greater than the Recommended Dietary Allowance; amounts this large can potentially cause copper deficiency and should be used only under the supervision of a healthcare professional. In addition to the antioxidants listed in the study, other nutrients may also help slow the development of AMD. Selenium, a trace mineral and potent antioxidant, was found in an earlier study to lower the risk of AMD.³ In addition, selenium levels were reportedly low in the blood and lens of the eye in patients with cataracts.⁴ Whether supplementing with selenium would alter the progression of cataracts in these people remains to be proven.

Other antioxidants that may help with AMD and cataracts include lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein and zeaxanthin comprise most of the pigment in the retina and act as a natural “sunscreen” to protect the eye from too much sunlight. They are found in high concentrations in spinach, collard greens, and kale. A study from Harvard University found that people whose diets were high in lutein and zeaxanthin had a 57% decrease in the risk of developing AMD, compared with those who ate little of these substances.⁵ Diets high in lutein may also protect against the formation of cataracts.⁶ While the value of using antioxidants to prevent other diseases such as cancer or heart disease may be debatable, it appears that either eating a diet rich in dark green, leafy vegetables or supplementing with antioxidants helps slow the progression of serious eye disease.

References:

1. Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of high-dose supplementation with vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc for age-related macular degeneration and vision loss: AREDS Report No. 8. Arch Ophthalmol 2001;119:1417–36.
2. Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of high-dose supplementation with vitamins C and E, and beta carotene for age-related cataract and vision loss: AREDS Report No. 9. Arch Ophthalmol 2001;119:1439–52.
3. Eye Disease Case Control Study Group. Antioxidant status and neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Arch Ophthalmol 1993;111:104–9.
4. Karakucuk S, Ertugrul Mirza G, Faruk Ekinciler O, et al. Selenium concentrations in serum, lens and aqueous humour of patients with senile cataract. Acta Ophthalmol Scand 1995;73:329–32.
5. Seddon JM, Ajani UA, Sperduto RD, et al. Dietary carotenoids, vitamins A, C and E and advanced age-related macular degeneration. JAMA 1994;272:1413–20.
6. Hankinson SE, Stampfer MJ, Seddon JM, et al. Nutrient intake and cataract extraction in women: a prospective study. BMJ 1992;305:335–9.