Certain vitamins are notorious for improving eye health and counteracting some of the effects of age-related macular degeneration. This eye disease is a leading cause of low vision in adults older than 60 years of age, according to a 2009 report published in "U.S. News." The condition may cause difficulties seeing at night, reading, and recognizing images or faces. People with macular degeneration may still be able to participate in daily activities, but there is a lower quality of life.
Vitamin Formula
The National Eye Institute developed a vitamin formula for counteracting some of the effects of macular degeneration. The Age-Related Eye Diseases formula, also called the AREDS formula, provides patients with age-related eye disease the nutrients they need that would otherwise not be available through other means. In fact, According to the National Eye Institute, you cannot get the vitamins you need for macular degeneration through natural foods or daily multivitamins.
Beta-Carotene
Beta-carotene provides approximately half of the vitamin A the body needs. Vitamin A, known as the eye vitamin, helps you see better at night and keeps the retina healthy. Good retina function helps you see images, faces and small objects clearer. A December 2010 article published in "Life Extension Magazine" says the current daily recommendation for beta-carotene -- which is 2 to 4 mg daily -- is not enough for any adult, let alone for older adults who want to prevent age-related diseases. This is why the AREDS formula contains 15 mg of beta-carotene, to counteract some of the symptoms of eye cell degeneration.
Zinc and Copper
The National Eye Institute recommends 80 mg of zinc, which is a nutrient that promotes healthy cell function. It may prevent advanced stages of macular degeneration and other age-related diseases. A 2001 study published in the "Archives of Opthalmology" shows that zinc works better when taken with other antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E. The copper mineral added to the AREDS formula is to counteract any copper deficiency or anemia that can occur when taking zinc supplements. The AREDS formula provides 2 mg to prevent any unintended side effects from taking zinc supplements.
Antioxidant Vitamins
Vitamins C and E are important vitamins that prevent the oxidation and degeneration of eye cells. The AREDS formula provides eight times the amount of vitamin C recommended daily for adults. The vitamin E potency in the AREDS formula provides 26 times the antioxidant vitamin E recommended each day for adults. Even if you took a multivitamin supplement, it would not give you the vitamins needed to counteract the oxidation or degeneration of eye cells.
References
- U.S. News: New Treatments Hold Hope for Failing Eyes
- National Eye Institute: The AREDS Formulation and Age-Related Macular Degeneration
- Life Extension Magazine: Experts Emphasize That Beta-Carotene is Indispensable as a Safe Source of Vitamin A
- Institute of Medicine: Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI)
- Centrum: Product Labeling
- "Archives of Ophthalmology"; 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; Age-related Eye Disease Study Research Group; October 2001
