Two new studies raise questions about the impact of certain nutritional supplements on eye health.
The second portion of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS 2), involving more than 4,000 Americans between the ages of 50 and 85 who were at risk for developing AMD, examined the impact of changes to the AREDS formulation. The diet prescribes daily high doses of vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and the minerals zinc and copper, to slow the progression of AMD. The researchers measured the impact of adding omega-3 fatty acids, removing beta-carotene or reducing zinc.
Adding omega-3 fatty acids did not increase the diet's benefits, and reducing zinc did not affect its effectiveness; however, removing beta-carotene, which is associated with lung cancer in smokers, increased protection. Furthermore, the researchers confirmed that the formulation did not prevent cataracts.
To do that, it might be better to consider pine bark extract. In another study, American researchers discovered that cataracts can be treated with dietary pycnogenol, which has a positive effect on eye lenses and no negative short-term impact.
Sources: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130506095619.htm
