Hundreds of thousands of people could benefit from vitamin
supplements shown to help prevent macular degeneration, a
condition that is the leading cause of blindness from age 65,
according to a new study conducted at Johns Hopkins Medical
Institution.
The researchers found a reduced risk of advanced age-related
macular degeneration and vision loss for test subjects who had
been given high-dose antioxidant supplements: vitamins C, E and
beta-carotene, and zinc.
They estimate there are 8 million Americans at least 55 years old
thought to be at high risk for macular degeneration. If all the
people at risk were to take adequate antioxidants, more than
300,000 of them would avoid advanced macular degeneration and any
associated vision loss during the next five years, the study
found.
“If even half of the individuals at high risk for were identified
and compliant with the recommended supplement, it is likely that
more than 150,000 individuals would avoid vision loss for some
time,” the investigators reported. “These data suggest that the
recommendation of such a supplement for these individuals should
have a major impact on them as well as on the public health,” the
authors conclude.
If you have a concern about your vision, or want to take a
supplement to protect your vision, make an appointment for a
consultation with one of our physicians. If you live far from the
clinic, we offer phone consultations. Your good vision is
precious. Don’t delay taking steps to protect your eyesight. Get
started here:
www.yournaturalhealth.com/clinic_services/get_started.htm
SOURCE: Archives of Ophthalmology, November 2003.