Here are our answers to some of the Frequently Asked Questions about vitamins and Macular Degeneration (AMD):
1) Do I HAVE to take special vitamins?
Of course not! However, taking high doses of anti-oxidant vitamins per the AREDS1 and 2 studies is thus far the only known way to prevent progression and vision loss from AMD
2) If I don't take the vitamins will I go blind?
There is no way to know if any one individual person will lose vision from AMD. Everyone is different, and we can only tell you what the odds are from the research available.
3) If I take the vitamins am I guaranteed to not lose my vision?
Unfortunately the same answer applies here: we can only say that taking the antioxidant vitamins in the AREDS doses will reduce the number of people who lose vision, and the amount of vision lost, when we look at a large group of people.
4) Are there side effects from the vitamins?
Some people have some stomach issues from taking any vitamins, and AMD vitamins are no different. In addition, the pills are rather big, and if you have trouble swallowing pills you may have trouble taking the AMD vitamins.
5) Who SHOULDN'T take AMD vitamins?
Smokers should not take high dosed of beta-carotene, the vitamin A form used in the AREDS vitamins.
6) Any other risks from taking these vitamins?
There are conflicting studies with results that don't agree about the risk of reduced bone density from taking high doses of beta-carotene. You should check with your family doctor if this is a concern.
7) What brand names should I look for?
This is one of the hard questions to answer because there are quite a few name brands, and within those brands there are some confusing choices. In general, if you plan to buy your vitamins at a store, "Preservision", "ICaps", and IVites" are good choices. SkyVision docs have chosen to provide Doctor's Advantage vitamins here in the office. Look for info regarding these vitamins in upcoming blogs.
8) What if I am taking a multivitamin? Should/can I keep taking it?
Another very hard question to answer because we are fans of multivitamins for people of all ages. You need to be careful not to over-do the anti-oxidants with AREDS vitamins + multivitamins. The math (adding up the doses and dividing between vitamins) can be complex, too complex for any doctor's office to do for you with store-bought vitamins. (Again, look for the upcoming post about vitamins from Skyvision). Aim for a total of the AREDS doses of Vitamin C, E, beta-carotene, Zinc and Copper between all your vitamins.
We hope that's helpful!
Showing posts with label AMD prevention. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AMD prevention. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Women, Vitamin D, and Macular Degeneration
This article appeared in the online edition of the LA Times. It quotes a study from the April issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.
______________________________________
"Getting enough vitamin D may help prevent women from losing their vision in old age. That's the quick and easy conclusion from a new study, just perhaps not one that will require you to change your diet.
In a study of 1,313 women ages 50 to 79, researchers from the University of Buffalo in New York found that women with adequate levels of vitamin D were at 48% decreased odds for developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) compared with women with insufficient levels of the vitamin. The work was published in the April Archives of Ophthalmology.
The team writes in its abstract:
“… Among women younger than 75 years, intake of vitamin D from foods and supplements was related to decreased odds of early AMD in multivariate models.”
Seems straightforward: Women under 75 who get enough vitamin D have a reduced risk of going blind, which other studies have suggested.
But hold on. The individual risk of developing AMD is relatively low if you're young. Only about 2 out of 100 middle-aged adults will develop the blindness. But that risk increases to nearly 30 in 100 for those over age 75. So in a study of women 50 to 79, most of whom are getting reasonable amounts of vitamin D, the big risk factor is age, not diet.
Other factors are related to AMD as well, such as race (whites are more likely than African Americans to lose vision through AMD) and family history, which the study didn't control for. Still, there's no predicting precisely who will develop the disease — as with most diseases.
Besides, people get vitamin D through vitamin supplements, eating foods such as fish and fortified milk and orange juice or by spending time in the sun. In fact, most people are getting an adequate supply of the vitamin, a survey last month found.
Reality check: Vitamin D is of course good for us, and there are plenty of good reasons to make sure you're getting enough. You don't need to obsess about this one study."
___________________________________________
At Skyvision we think it's important to eat a healthy diet. We are impressed with the number of studies that have come out recently that show the benefit of increasing your vitamin D intake. Despite the disclaimers in the LA Times article we think you should consider Vitamin D supplements if your family doctor approves.
______________________________________
"Getting enough vitamin D may help prevent women from losing their vision in old age. That's the quick and easy conclusion from a new study, just perhaps not one that will require you to change your diet.
In a study of 1,313 women ages 50 to 79, researchers from the University of Buffalo in New York found that women with adequate levels of vitamin D were at 48% decreased odds for developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) compared with women with insufficient levels of the vitamin. The work was published in the April Archives of Ophthalmology.
The team writes in its abstract:
“… Among women younger than 75 years, intake of vitamin D from foods and supplements was related to decreased odds of early AMD in multivariate models.”
Seems straightforward: Women under 75 who get enough vitamin D have a reduced risk of going blind, which other studies have suggested.
But hold on. The individual risk of developing AMD is relatively low if you're young. Only about 2 out of 100 middle-aged adults will develop the blindness. But that risk increases to nearly 30 in 100 for those over age 75. So in a study of women 50 to 79, most of whom are getting reasonable amounts of vitamin D, the big risk factor is age, not diet.
Other factors are related to AMD as well, such as race (whites are more likely than African Americans to lose vision through AMD) and family history, which the study didn't control for. Still, there's no predicting precisely who will develop the disease — as with most diseases.
Besides, people get vitamin D through vitamin supplements, eating foods such as fish and fortified milk and orange juice or by spending time in the sun. In fact, most people are getting an adequate supply of the vitamin, a survey last month found.
Reality check: Vitamin D is of course good for us, and there are plenty of good reasons to make sure you're getting enough. You don't need to obsess about this one study."
___________________________________________
At Skyvision we think it's important to eat a healthy diet. We are impressed with the number of studies that have come out recently that show the benefit of increasing your vitamin D intake. Despite the disclaimers in the LA Times article we think you should consider Vitamin D supplements if your family doctor approves.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
More Good News About Omega-3 Fatty Acids
It seems a day doesn't go by without more good news about Omega-3 Fatty Acid dietary supplements! We are anxiously awaiting the publication of the AREDS II study on Macular Degeneration (AMD), but in the mean time a study looking at just Omega-3 supplements has some very good news for AMD prevention.
A study has been following a number of health problems in almost 40,000 female nurses over more than 10 years. One of the things studied has been the development of AMD. Analyzing the diets of these nurses the investigators discovered that those women who consume Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the DHA and EPA forms have an approximately 33% LOWER chance of getting AMD!
The DHA and IPA forms of Omega-3 Fatty Acids are called the Triglyceride forms. After many years of trying to keep up on the literally hundreds of brands and levels of quality in drug stores the doctors at Skyvision recently chose a very special company, Doctor's Advantage, to supply our patients with the highest quality nutritional supplements for AMD and other problems.
Doctor's Advantage makes an Omega-3 Fatty Acid supplement called "Omega Shield". It is only available from eye doctors, but the company will send it directly to your home! Make sure that you ask about "Omega Shield" when you come to see the eye doctors at Skyvision Centers. This one very good way to practice preventative medicine for your eyes!
A study has been following a number of health problems in almost 40,000 female nurses over more than 10 years. One of the things studied has been the development of AMD. Analyzing the diets of these nurses the investigators discovered that those women who consume Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the DHA and EPA forms have an approximately 33% LOWER chance of getting AMD!
The DHA and IPA forms of Omega-3 Fatty Acids are called the Triglyceride forms. After many years of trying to keep up on the literally hundreds of brands and levels of quality in drug stores the doctors at Skyvision recently chose a very special company, Doctor's Advantage, to supply our patients with the highest quality nutritional supplements for AMD and other problems.
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