Should I Stop AREDs Supplements?

By chet51

1 min read

I was a little taken back by one member's story. She said she stop taking zinc which is part of the AREDS formula because she feared it may be harmful. I’m a little disillusioned now. Do I keep taking AREDS or should I stop? Also she is taking turmeric. Are there any studies that show it helps with AMD?

As far as my story, I have had the dry type of macular degeneration for about 4 years now. Although the Amsler appears to be OK, the siding on a house from 50' or so is a little wavy.

Do you take these supplements? If so, how have you reacted to them?

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Sharon Moore Moderator
<inline-mention username="Kelly-McNamara" user-id="3124496"/> If you haven’t had a conversation with your doctor about your questions I think it would be helpful. Healthcare decisions are best made by you and your doctor. Curcumin found in turmeric looks promising in animal studies. A clinical trial is underway now to determine if turmeric will help those with dry macular degeneration. I am 8 years now with dry macular degeneration. I see wavy lines with my right eye but with the left it compensates fairly well. Regards, Sharon Moore patient leader
Linda Hoopes Moderator
Granted, it is confusing & I found when I got approval from my Retina Specialist to change to a different eye vitamin, he wasn’t adamant about taking a particular one but it’s always best to discuss with your doctor. Having said that, it’s also pertinent to be your own advocate & do the research. I stopped taking Presser Vision due to 80 m of zinc. The recommendation is 8m for women. That’s a HUGE difference & r]too much zinc can have after effects over time. There are other eye vitamin on the market with 0 zinc or a much lower dosage. Check out this article on zinc & talk with your doctor: Eye Vitamins: How Much Zinc Is Too Much Zinc?
chet51 Member
My doctors don’t know squat about what pills to take for AMD. As I mention I think there is way to much Vitamine E and Zinc when taking 2 tablets twice a day of the AREDS. I believe what I will do is take one AREDS and double up on the Luteis and Zeaxnthin. I think those 2 are the main supplements to take. Also I’m going to research Bilberry and Turmeric. 
1. Sharon Moore Moderator
 <inline-mention username="chet51" user-id="6716707"/> it’s sad your doctors are not well informed regarding the Areds2 supplements. Have you considered finding a retinal specialist that will advise you regarding the best supplements for you to take? Good luck, Sharon Moore patient leader 
2. Brown Eyed Girl Moderator
 <inline-mention username="chet51" user-id="6716707"/> I can get a supplement in Australia which has only 25 mg of zinc but has the full complement of the other AREDS2 ingredients. It's only once a day. I usually take it when I'm away from home holidaying or travelling which I am now. I often think of taking it all the time, but my doctor insists on the 80 mg of zinc. Best wishes, Wendy, Patient Leader.
chet51 Member
I would love to know how they came up with the amounts on the AREDS. I picture a bunch of ginks throwing darts at a dart board with numbers on it. Most all the ingredients are way higher then was is recommend for health.
1. Sharon Moore Moderator
 <inline-mention username="chet51" user-id="6716707"/> thank you for weighing in on the topic of taking Areds2 supplements. The results of a long term study published in January of 2023 confirms the efficacy of the Areds2 in slowing the progression of AMD. https://www.brightfocus.org/macular/article/new-study-confirms-efficacy-areds2-supplement-slowing-age-related-macular-degeneration Regards, Sharon Moore patient leader
Mbrokaw Member
My eye doctor recommended I start taking AREDS 2 after my macular diagnosis. AREDS 2 is a second generation of this product and was the result of many years of research and was found to have a better outcome for eye health than the original formula. I had been asking Lutein with Zexanthin for years and still developed dry macular. AREDS 2 was the results of a study done by the National Eye Health Institute.
CommunityMember8435494 Member
I was concerned about the zinc content as well in the AREDS 2 formulation. Through a genetic test called Vita Risk Genetic Test out of Arctic Medical Laboratories, a cheek swab is taken from a local provider and a medical form is filled out. The customer service representative, Suzanne, supplied me with a list of local doctors who do the cheek swab in my area but very few actually provided that service. She also forwarded me 3 published articles pertaining to the zinc issue. Try contacting customer service at Arctic (1-866-964-5182). I have found the doctors I questioned about zinc sensitivity are not well informed and I never bothered to have the testing done. Hope this helps!
1. Brown Eyed Girl Moderator
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMember8435494" user-id="8435494"/> thank you very much for those details. I'm in Australia but the information will be useful to our Community members. Wendy, Patient Leader.
sho50 Member
There's good reason why there is so much controversy about the AREDS-2 formula. The evidence for its efficacy is scanty and the amount of zinc, copper, and vitamin-E it contains may be associated with several toxicities and potential long term side-effects, especially when double dosing is prescribed (as it often is). It is probably prudent to limit AREDS-2 to single dosing, perhaps supplemented with additional lutein and zeaxanthin, instead of doubling the AREDS-2. More clinical research is needed to tweak the ideal dosing formula (which also may vary individually, based on disease level). 
1. Brown Eyed Girl Moderator
 <inline-mention username="sho50" user-id="8402117"/> I agree that it is time for more clinical research, especially around the zinc level. My previous RS wanted me to stay on 80 mg but my new RS seems to be ok with 25 mg per day. Wendy, Patient Leader.
chet51 Member
I talked to a druggist about the high levels of zinc in AREDS. She said the body uses what it needs and gets rid of the rest by pee. She was not concern about the zinc levels in AREDS and said sells a lot of bottles. I would guess a druggist would know as much about supplements as a doctor.
1. Sharon Moore Moderator
 <inline-mention username="chet51" user-id="6716707"/> thanks for sharing the information from your pharmacist. They actually know more about medication or supplements that most doctors. That is their expertise. Regards, Sharon Moore patient leader