Written by Jessica Patella, ND. A study of 172 elderly participants who consumed the antioxidants: lutein, zeaxanthin, fish oil, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and copper for 1 year, showed their age-related macular degeneration vision was improved by 20%.
An estimated 1.8 million Americans 40 years and older are affected by age-related macular degeneration (1). An additional 7.3 million are at substantial risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (1). Macular degeneration is a concern because it is the leading cause of blindness in the United States (1). Recent research has found that supplementing with certain antioxidants for one year improved visual acuity in age-related macular degeneration participants (2).
Age-related macular degeneration or macular degeneration, is an eye disorder that results in diminished sharp and central vision. Central vision is important for daily tasks such as reading and driving (1). Oxidative stress has been implicated as a possible cause of macular degeneration (3). Antioxidants have therefore been suggested to improve vision in macular degeneration, specifically lutein and zeaxanthin, because they are components of macular pigment (2,3).
The recent research included 172 participants, of which 145 completed the year-long study. The average age was 70. The participants met with researchers at baseline, (1) month, (3) months, (6) months and (12) months (2).
Participants were randomly divided into three groups:
- Dosage group 1: once daily antioxidant dose (10 mg lutein, 1 mg zeaxanthin, 255 mg fish oil (100mg DHA, 30 mg EPA), 60 mg vitamin C, 20 mg vitamin E, 10 mg zinc, 0.25 mg copper)
- Dosage group 2: twice daily antioxidant dose (same as above, but twice daily)
- Placebo: once daily placebo capsule
The relative volume of macular pigment increased from baseline by 20% in dosage group 1 and by 28.4% in dosage group 2. The absolute volume of macular pigment increased in dosage group 1 increased significantly (from 1.41+/-0.46 to 1.64+/-0.54 ODUxdeg(squared); p<0.001), as well as in dosage group 2 (from 1.41+/-0.47 to 1.68+/-0.51 ODUxdeg(squared); p<0.001). Absolute volume of macular pigment significantly decreased in the placebo group (from 1.46+/-0.53 to 1.43+/-0.53 ODU-deg(squared); p=0.022). This indicates that supplementation improved response to certain colors and therefore improved vision (2).
The best corrected visual acuity improved significantly in both dosage group 1 (from 0.134+/-0.17 to 0.104+/-0.18 log MAR; p=0.001) and in dosage group 2 (from 0.104+/-0.14 to 0.064+/-0.16 log MAR; p<0.001), indicating improvement in vision (2).
In conclusion, antioxidant supplementation of lutein, zeaxanthin, fish oil, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and copper for one year improved visual acuity in age-related macular degeneration.
Results between once daily and twice daily supplementation were similar, so once daily supplementation is recommended to improve compliance (2). Future studies should research the different stages of macular degeneration and the improvement of vision based on the antioxidants in this study (2).
Source: Dawczynski, Jens, et al. “Long term effects of lutein, zeaxanthin and omega-3-LCPUFAs supplementation on optical density of macular pigment in AMD patients: the LUTEGA study.” Graefe’s Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology 251.12 (2013): 2711-2723.
© 2013, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
Posted June 26, 2013.
Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health. She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com.
References:
- Common Eye Disorders – Age-related Macular Degeneration. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Dawczynski J, et al. Long term effects of lutein, zeaxanthin and omega-3-LCPUFAs supplementation on optical density of macular pigment in AMD patients: the LUTEGA study. 2013. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. doi: 10.1007/s00417-013-2376-6.
- Beatty S, et al. The role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degen- eration. 2000. Surv Ophthalmol 45:115–134.
