NIH’s National Eye Institute conducted the second Age Related Eye Disease Study, or the AREDS 2 study. The original study showed that adding a combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, zinc, and copper to the patient’s daily regimen reduced the risk of advanced stages of AMD by 25%. Although this study found a successful want to help reduce the risk of AMD, there was still a concern with the high levels of beta-carotene, putting smokers and former smokers at a higher risk for lung cancer. In addition, since the original AREDS study, there had been additional research on lutein and zeaxanthin and eye health. In response, the NIH began the AREDS 2 study to look into revising the AREDS recommended formula to prevent AMD.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration, commonly referred to as AMD, is a condition where a person’s central vision is decreased, distorted, or lost completely. It primarily affects people over the age of 55. In addition to Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration is the second most common eye disease which is not easily detectable and there are no early warning signs. The best way to avoid this condition is through regular visits with your eye doctor, and prevention.
The AREDS 2 study took a group of 4,200 participants between the ages of 50 and 85 years, whereby each participant either took the original AREDS recommended formula, AREDS plus lutein and zeaxanthin, or AREDS plus lutein, zeaxanthin and omega-3. In addition, there were groups that took AREDS without beta-carotene plus lutein and zeaxanthin. The AREDS 2 study results did not show much of a difference between the original AREDS formula when adding lutein and zeaxanthin. However, the groups who took AREDS without beta-carotene plus lutein and zeaxanthin showed an 18% reduction in the risk of advanced AMD compared to the original AREDS formula. These results established the new AREDS 2 formula, allowing for significant improvement in the original formula without the increased risk of lung cancer.
The results of the AREDS 2 study showed that in 5 years the participants that took the new AREDS 2 formula showed to have less risk of progression of AMD than the people that took the original AREDS formula. In fact, the AREDS 2 study showed that the new formulation can lower the risk of progression to advanced AMD by an additional 18 percent. While it is certainly beneficial to eat foods rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, like dark leafy greens or eggs, people who were eating foods rich in lutein and zeaxanthin lowered their risk of advanced AMD by 25 percent when they took the AREDS 2 formula in addition to their healthy diet. AREDS 2 formula is available in easy to take softgels or capsules. By taking the recommended dosage of AREDS 2, you can dramatically reduce your risk for advanced stages of Age-Related Macular Degeneration.
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FAQ’s:
Below are some additional useful areds 2 related frequently asked questions:
What is the AREDS 2 study?
The AREDS 2 study was a follow up study to the original AREDS study. The AREDS 2 study included 4203 participants at risk for progression to advanced AMD, aged 50 to 85 years old. This study researched modifying the original AREDS formula to help further reduce the risk for progression to advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AREDS 2 was broken up into several subgroups. Researchers looked at the effects of omitting beta-carotene, adding lutein and zeaxanthin and adding omega-3.
What were the main results of the AREDS 2 study?
The AREDS 2 study results showed that omitting beta-carotene and adding lutein and zeaxanthin to the original AREDS formula reduced the risk of progression of AMD by 18% compared to the participants who took the original AREDS formula.
Why did the AREDS 2 study research omit beta-carotene?
Some studies showed that beta-carotene may increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers. Researchers wanted to see if eliminating beta-carotene completely would have an effect on the progression of AMD.
What were the results of eliminating beta-carotene from the AREDS 2 study?
When participants took 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin in place of beta-carotene there was an 18% reduction in progression to advanced AMD.
What were the results of adding omega-3 for AMD?
Although other studies have shown that omega-3 has a beneficial effect on AMD, the AREDS 2 study did not show any beneficial effects on AMD from omega-3. Omega-3, however, does show in other studies to have extremely important benefits, such as heart health.
What were the results of adding lutein and zeaxanthin?
Adding lutein and zeaxanthin and keeping high doses of beta-carotene seemed to compete with each other for absorption into the body. Omitting beta-carotene and adding 10 mg of lutein and 2mg of zeaxanthin showed an 18% reduction in progression to advanced AMD.
What are lutein and zeaxanthin?
Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids. Carotenoids are not made by the body but only can be found in the diet. Dark, leafy green vegetables, such as kale, are great sources of lutein. Lutein and zeaxanthin intake in the US is typically less than 1-2 mg per day. The AREDS 2 study suggests 10 mg or lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin for AMD.
