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1. Risk of developing advanced disease was reduced by about 25% in those with intermediate damage from taking 500 mg of vitamin C, 15 mg of beta carotene, 400 IU of vitamin E and 80 mg of zinc on a daily basis. 2. A preliminary study showed those consuming lutein from either spinach or supplements demonstrated improvement of some of the early vision loss from "dry" macular degeneration. 3. Consuming 6 mg of the caroteinoid lutein (w/ it's co-nutrient zeaxanthin) daily for five months was shown to significantly increase macular pigment density, which protects from harmful blue wavelength light believed to be most responsible for macular degeneration. 4. High macular pigment density was associated with the retention of youthful visual sensitivity, which suggested that increasing macular pigment may retard age-related declines in visual function. 5. Persons who had the lowest serum levels of lycopene, the most abundant carotenoid in the serum, were twice as likely to have macular degeneration when compared to those with the highest levels. 6. Those consuming lutein rich foods (spinach and collard greens) five days per week were 8 times less likely to develop macular degeneration as those consuming them once per month. 7. The ARMD population manifested decreased intake of vitamin E, magnesium, zinc, vitamin B6 and folic acid. Patients with advanced ARMD taking antioxidants twice daily maintained vision in their better functioning eyes significantly better than those taking a placebo. 8. Smokers with early macular degeneration who consumed the lowest amounts of carotenoids were nearly 6X as likely to develop advanced macular degeneration than those consuming the highest amounts. 9. In a clinical trial 60% of subjects with ARMD or diabetic macular edema who received 500 mg of vitamin C, 400 IU of vitamin E, 15,000 IU of beta carotene and selenium showed either improvement or no further progression of their disease. So Med J, 1987. 10. The evidence suggests that carotenoids and antioxidant vitamins may help to retard some of the destructive processes in the retina and the retinal pigment epithelium which are responsible for age-related degeneration of the macula. 11. The minerals copper and zinc are required to synthesize superoxide dismutase and other enzymes in the retina which scavenge free radicals, preventing the oxidative damage which plays a role in the development of drusen, an early sign of Age-Related Macular Degeneration. 12. Glutathione and its related enzyme precursor amino acids (N-Acetyl-Cysteine, L-glycine, and glutamine and selenium) are protective against damage to human retinal pigment epithelium cells. 13. Quercetin protected bovine retinas in vitro from induced lipid peroxidation, especially when combined with vitamin E, suggesting a potential protective effect in age-related macular degeneration. 14. Deficiency of taurine, an amino acid, has been shown to lead to retinal degeneration and supplementing it has been used with some success to prevent, treat and stabilize retinal changes. 15. After 18 months, subjects with macular degeneration who took antioxidants on a consistent basis were 2.5X more likely to improve on visual acuity testing, and four times less likely to deteriorate in their worst eye, compared to those who took them less consistently. 16. Patients with confluent soft drusen, or "pre-wet" ARMD, were found to have evidence of vitamin B6 deficiency. B. Lane, Ann Mtg Amer Coll of Nutrition, 1991. 17. General measures for prevention and remediation of macular degeneration would include a combination of supplementation with trace elements, antioxidants and other vitamins, ...increasing physical fitness, improving nutrition (e.g. avoiding hydrogenated oils), abstaining from smoking, and protection from excessive light exposure. 18. There is an association between both low serum selenium levels and current smoking status and the development of age-related macular degeneration. 19. There was an inverse relationship between dietary pro-vitamin A carotenoid and vitamin E consumption and the incidence of large macular drusen, as well as between zinc levels and the incidence of retinal pigment abnormalities. 20. The evidence suggests that carotenoids and antioxidant vitamins may help to retard some of the destructive processes in the retina and the retinal pigment epithelium that lead to age-related degeneration of the macula. 21. Subnormal zinc and/or vitamin E serum levels may be associated with as much as an 82% increased risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration. Vitamin C and lipoic acid help to recycle vitamin E in the retinal tissues. 22. In a study of adults over 60 there was found to be a significant link between risk of macular degeneration and low blood levels of vitamin E as well as increased sun exposure. 23. A statistically significant improvement in visual acuity was observed after treatment with Ginkgo biloba extract in a double blind, placebo controlled study of macular degeneration patients. 24. Those consuming fish more than once per week were only half as likely to develop macular degeneration than those consuming it less than once per month. Those consuming the highest amount of cholesterol in their diet were 2.7 times more likely to develop advanced macular degeneration. 25. Dietary enzymes increase glutathione synthesis which can prevent free radical-induced apoptosis (cell suicide) and may help prevent or treat AMD. Progress in Retinal and Eye Research, 2000, Vol. 19, Iss.2 pp 205-221 (No abstract available) 1. In a study of open angle glaucoma patients who received 150mg of Alpha Lipoic Acid each day, 45-47% of the eyes had enhancement of color visual fields and visual sensitivity when compared to controls using only topical medical therapy. More advanced cases had an even better response compared to their controls. 2. Pretreatment with alpha lipoic acid has been found to reduce neuronal damage from excitotoxic damage from cyanide, glutamate and iron ions, demonstrating a strong neuroprotective effect for this substance in nerve tissue. It may be useful in treating glaucoma. 3. The eyes of open angle glaucoma patients were found to have significantly lower vitamin C levels, as well as higher levels of lipic peroxidation byproducts compared to normals. 4. Patients suffering from open angle glaucoma and normal-tension glaucoma who were given magnesium twice daily showed improvement of the visual field and reduced peripheral vasospasms (which can cause glaucoma, stroke and heart attack) after four weeks of treatment. 5. Glaucoma patients treated with vitamin B12 for over 5 years demonstrated better visual acuity and better overall control of their disease. Glacome, 1992; 6. Besides beta carotene, other carotenoids found in dark green leafy vegetables appear to be much more essential to the health of the eye. Several studies have shown that lutein and zeaxanthin supplements may slow vision loss in glaucoma, and in some cases improve eyesight. Science News, Volume 146. 7. Anthocyanosides, compounds found in the herb bilberry, were shown to markedly improve vascular resistance of the capillary wall in the ciliary body of the eye (the source of excess fluid production). Boll. Ocul. 65 789-95, 1986 8. Chronic open angle glaucoma patients had a statistically significant lower thiamine blood level than controls along with poor absorption of that nutrient. 9. Lipoic acid may be useful in the treatment of glaucoma and may help prevent ischemic optic nerve damage. 10. The scientific literature supports recommending lipoic acid in complex with vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6 (pyridoxal phosphate), and vitamin C to glaucoma patients. 11. Vascular obstruction and hindrance of the blood flow and impaired nutrition of neuronal tissue might be the primary causes of glaucoma. 12. Ginkgo biloba is a potentially important agent in the treatment of glaucoma. It improves central and peripheral blood flow, reduces vasospasm, reduces serum viscosity, has antioxidant activity, platelet activating factor inhibitory activity, and inhibits apoptosis and excitotoxicity - all factors in preventing glaucoma vision loss. 13. The fatty acid DHA (abundant in fish oil), along with B Complex and vitamin E were shown to be helpful in preventing or delaying vision loss associated with glaucoma. 14. Ginkgo biloba extract (40mg, three times daily), increased diastolic blood flow by 23% in the ophthalmic artery in glaucoma patients and may be helpful in protecting the optic nerve from further damage and subsequent visual field loss. 15. Besides alpha lipoic acid, other nutrients which are neuroprotective include vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, pycnogenol (from grape seed extract or pine bark), and flavonoids. 1. Alpha Lipoic Acid can significantly reduce diabetic cataract formation, as well as neuropathy, and would seem to be an ideal neuroprotective substance in the treatment of all oxidative brain and neural disorders involving free radical processes. 2. Vitamin E significantly improved glucose tolerance in non-insulin dependent diabetics, which should very likely result in fewer diabetic complications. 3. Diabetic patients with high serum magnesium levels were less likely to develop severe diabetic retinopathy compared to those with low levels. 4. Chromium, high-dose vitamin E, magnesium, soluble fiber, and possibly taurine appear likely to lessen risk for macrovascular disease (retinopathy) in diabetics in diabetic patients, significantly reducing the risk of diabetic retinopathy. 5. Long term use of multiple antioxidants inhibits the development of early stage diabetic retinopathy. 6. Seven of fifteen patients with Type I diabetic retinopathy who were given vitamin B12 along with their daily insulin injections were found to have complete regression of retinal signs after 12 months. Kornerup T, Strom L. Acta Paediatr 1958. 7. 79% of 37 patients with visible diabetic retinal abnormalities improved after taking 160 mg of bilberry extract twice daily, compared to 0% of the placebo control group, and 86% of those with abnormalities of angiography findings showed moderate to considerable improvement. (These improvements were noted within one month.) Perossini, et al. Ann Ottalmol Clin Ocul 1987. 8. 73% of type I and II diabetics who took chromium supplements reduced their requirement for insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents. Taking chromium and niacin together reduced fasting blood sugar levels and improved glucose tolerance. J Trace Elem Exp Med 1995: 8:183-90; 9. Low magnesium levels might increase the risk of ischemic heart disease and severe retinopathy in diabetics, while chromium increases insulin sensitivity and raises the 'good' HDL cholesterol. 10. Low serum carotenoid levels were found to be directly related to an increased risk for developing insulin resistance and diabetes. 11. Both Panax and American ginseng was shown to normalize glucose tolerance tests, and reduced blood sugar spikes in Type II diabetics after consumption of a sugar solution. 12. In one study all 38 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes were required to lower their insulin dose to avoid hypoglycemia after taking 200mg of Gymnema Sylvestre extract twice daily. 1. Patients with retinitis pigmentosa appear to have faulty cellular uptake of the amino acid taurine. Disturbed utilization of vitamin A also appears to play a part in retinitis pigmentosa, and a subgroup of patients benefit from supplementation of this vitamin. 2. The essential fatty acids alpha-linolenic acid and DHA may be required for those with retinitis pigmentosa to support normal functional development of the retina. 3. A diet high in polyunsaturated fats (e.g. corn oil), and low in vitamin E, selenium, sulfur-containing amino acids (e.g. taurine, methionine), and chromium were related to a build up of pigment which mimics one type of retinitis pigmentosa. 4. Lutein supplementation in high doses improved both visual acuities and visual fields after 2-4 weeks of treatment in 16 subjects, and was especially effective in blue eyed individuals. 5. Vitamin B3 may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of retinal degeneration, including retinitis pigmentosa.
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