Written By: Dr. Stephanie Mulick
As an Optometrist, it is important to me that my patients receive quality nutrients to maintain healthy eyes and vision.
Ocular Health Supplements
One of the most important Eye Related studies AREDS or Age-Related Eye Disease Study has shown a clinical significance in the decrease in progression of Macular degeneration with supplementation of Zinc, Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and Copper.
Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS and AREDS2)
AREDS is a 5-year clinical study that started in 2001, the second study called AREDS 2 started in 2013 continued to study the benefits of the above vitamins and the prevention of moderate and severe macular Degeneration progression.
Click here to learn more about Macular Degeneration
According to NEI (National Eye Institute), “the original AREDS trial involved 4,757 participants, ages 55-80 at the time of enrollment. Of 4,203 surviving participants, 3,549 (about 84%) took part in the follow-up AREDS2 trial”.
Since the original AREDS trial established that the formulation does not benefit people without Macular Degeneration (AMD) or early AMD, the AREDS2 trial was limited to people with intermediate AMD in both eyes, or intermediate AMD in one eye and advanced AMD in the other eye.
One main difference between the AREDS and AREDS 2 studies is the removal of Beta-carotene from it’s formulation due to the following 2 facts:
1. Current or former smokers who took AREDS with beta-carotene had a higher incidence of lung cancer.
2. AREDS2 without beta-carotene had a greater reduction in macular degeneration progression than did the original AREDS formulation with Beta-carotene.
AREDS 2 had clinically significant data showing Macular Degeneration progression slowed with supplementing the following nutrients:
| Nutrient | Amount per day | Percent Daily Value |
| Zinc | 80 mg | 540% |
| Lutein | 10 mg | ** |
| Zeaxanthin | 2 mg | ** |
| Vitamin C | 500 mg | 840% |
| Vitamin E | 180 mg | 1200% |
| Copper | 2 mg | 100% |
Omega-3:
Omega 3 fatty acids have been found to reduce symptoms of dry eyes (for the scientific research click here) as well as reduce the risk for Age-related macular degeneration (click here to view the scientific research).
Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid found in foods such as avocado, nuts, seeds, seaweed, and oily fish (preferably wild-caught).
The reason that omega-3 is so beneficial is that it has been found to reduce inflammation within our bodies.
It is important to take a good source of omega-3 fatty acids preferably from wild-caught fish.
Omega-3 fatty acids from vegetable sources such as chia, flaxseed, and nuts, are higher in ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) which has been found to have less of an anti-inflammatory effect when compared to EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) found in oily fish, like wild-caught salmon, mackerel, sardines, and anchovies.
Omega-3, 6, and 9 are types of dietary fats called polyunsaturated fats. Traditional diets are high in omega-6 and 9 and lower in omega-3. Getting the proper ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 plays an important role in the inflammatory process. It is recommended to have a ratio of 4:1 or less omega-6 to omega-3 for the best anti-inflammatory effects.
Because the body cannot produce omega-3, it is important to eat foods that contain high amounts of omega-3 whenever possible. When comparing farm-raised salmon to wild-caught salmon there are several benefits to eating wild-caught; however, farm-raised salmon is still a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Farm-raised salmon (which is more likely served at restaurants, unless specified that it is wild-caught) has 5 times more omega-6 than wild-caught salmon and 3 times more saturated fats. Wild-caught salmon also has a higher mineral profile, providing a good source of zinc and potassium.
How to choose the best omega-3 supplements:
Many companies produce omega-3 supplements. When purchasing omega-3 supplements look for cold-pressed, meaning limited heat exposure. Polyunsaturated fats (omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9) are easily oxidized with heat and light, making them rancid and ineffective.
Ideally, take at least 2000mg of fish oil per day.
Some companies claim that the triglyceride form has better absorption and safety, but so far the science-based studies do not show a significant difference between the triglyceride form and the Ethyl ester form; however, studies are still being conducted.
I use Nordic Naturals pro-omega which are in the triglyceride form.
The FDA finds potentially dangerous drugs in online supplements…
According to consumer reports, the FDA tested weight loss and sexual enhancement supplements sold on Amazon and Ebay and found that they contained potentially dangerous drugs.
The undisclosed ingredients included “sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra). The agency also found sibutramine, an appetite suppressant; desmethylsibutramine, an analog of sibutramine; and fluoxetine (Prozac).”
According to wired, Nutritional supplements sold on Amazon are popular targets for counterfeits.
The Fda found that some of the supplements sold by third party vendors on marketplaces such as Amazon and Ebay were found to contain steroids and/or antidepressants.
This is so shocking, considering so many of us purchase supplements on Amazon.
Supplements that are readily available and even the hot sellers with good reputations have been to blame for counterfeit supplements.
How can we protect ourselves as consumers?
According to Emerson Ecologics the FDA does not regulate the safety and efficiency of supplements.
There is a law called the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) that defines how dietary supplements are regulated. The law states that it is the responsibility of each manufacturer to show that a product is safe and effective before marketing that product.
The FDA is not required to do its own safety review before a product is made available to the public.
The FDA requires companies to follow current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), but it does not offer any certification for this.
cGMPs require that the manufacturing facility be clean, climate-controlled, and run with good quality-control procedures. cGMPs have to do with how products are made—they have nothing to do with what is actually in the final product.
Quality companies go above and beyond the requirements of cGMPs and get third-party certifications related to their manufacturing practices.
Third-party certifications for good manufacturing practices include NSF International and NPA (Natural Products Association). The Emerson Quality Program℠ ensures that all companies distributed through Emerson Ecologics and Wellevate meet or exceed the standards of cGMPs.
Third Party certification beyond cGMP
High-quality companies will pay for third-party testing to confirm the presence of ingredients, the potency of ingredients, and the absence of contaminants. Common contaminants that are tested for include heavy metals, solvents, pesticides, and microbes.
Voluntary third-party certifications include the USP Verified Mark, Consumer Labs, UL, International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS), and the Emerson Quality Program℠.
The FDA does not standardize dosages or forms of ingredients in dietary supplements.
Vitamins and minerals can be sourced from many different places and can be provided in many different forms. For instance, Pyridoxine hydrochloride is the cheapest form of vitamin B6, but pyridoxine-5-phosphate (P5P) is the most biologically active form.
The form of the ingredient, the dosage of the ingredient, and the formulation of the entire product all influence whether or not a dietary supplement will be effective.
“High-quality companies rely on a team of medical experts and evidence-based science to formulate products that offer patients the greatest benefits. Part of the Emerson Quality Program℠ is an evaluation of product formulations of all companies distributed through Emerson Ecologics and Wellevate”.
There are better ways of getting quality supplements delivered to your door
Wellevate is an online marketplace that can only be sold by licenced Doctors.
The wellevate online marketplace only carries products that meet the federal current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) and Emerson Quality Program.
I have set up an online marketplace called Wellevate for my patients. This ensures that my patients are taking quality supplements backed by CGMP.
This is a new feature to AskEyeDoc.com and I am providing a discount to all new users.
