Macushield Gold is recommended for those with wet macular degeneration or with signs that show they are at risk of it. However, so far there’s no other research of the same quality to compare these results to, and so at present this is the only information we must go with regarding vitamin and mineral supplements and AMD.

Recommendations: A supplement containing standardised extracts of bilberry and/or pine bark (preferably both). The favourable eye-health effects of bilberries are attributed to their high anthocyanins content. Similarly, the beneficial effects of pine bark extract are attributed to their procyanidins content. Recommendations: A supplement containing both bilberry extract 80mg (standardised to 36% anthocyanins) and pine bark extract 40mg (standardised to 70% procyanidins). The studies show that this combination needs to be taken for a minimum of 3 months and preferably 6 months or more for optimal effect. An optometrist or ophthalmologist may see “drusen” when they examine your retina. Drusen are small deposits under the retina, which they can see as yellow dots. Drusen can be present as a normal part of ageing and are not always a sign that someone has AMD. In 1994, the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta Carotene (ATBC) trial found a 35% reduced risk of prostate cancer in men taking 50 mg of vitamin E (synthetic, equivalent to 56 IU) daily for a follow-up of six years. ( reference 8) About 10 to 15 per cent of people who develop AMD have wet AMD, often having had dry AMD to begin with. You develop wet AMD when the cells of the macula stop working correctly and your body starts growing new blood vessels to fix the problem. These blood vessels are very weak and grow in the wrong place, so they cause swelling, leaking and bleeding underneath the macula, this is why the condition is described as “wet” AMD. Wet AMD is classified as late AMD.

Delays also often occur at Easter because the depots are shut on Easter Monday & Good Friday and hence post builds up. In 2011, the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) found a 17% increase in prostate cancer risk among men taking 400 IU of vitamin E daily for a follow-up of seven years. ( reference 10) That risk equates to 1-2 more prostate cancers per 1,000 patients who took high-dose vitamin E for one year. For unclear reasons, men who took both vitamin E and selenium did not have an increased rate of prostate cancer. Moeller SM, Parekh N, et al; CAREDS Research Study Group. Associations between intermediate age-related macular degeneration and lutein and zeaxanthin in the Carotenoids in Age-related Eye Disease Study (CAREDS): ancillary study of the Women's Health Initiative. Arch Ophthalmol. 2006 Aug;124(8):1151-62. doi: 10.1001/archopht.124.8.1151. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16908818/ The action of lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin on filtering blue light means it may be especially beneficial for those sitting in front of computer screens and smartphones for long periods of time. Two large studies, Age-Related Eye Disease Study AREDS1 and AREDS2, suggested that certain nutritional supplements can slow down the progression of AMD by about 25%. AREDS2 in 2013 tested a modified version of the AREDS1 formula.

Be aware of:Supplements containing inadequate strengths of the ingredients in the AREDS2 formula. Note that the AREDS2 studies found ‘no significant changes in the effectiveness of the formulation’ [2] when reducing zinc from 80mg in the original AREDS formula to 25mg. It may therefore be preferable to consider an AREDS2 supplement with 25mg zinc, as it may have a lower risk of dosage-related side-effects. If you have difficulty digesting food, your GP may recommend a supplement so that you can get the right amount, but most people can get all the vitamins and minerals they need through diet alone. Your lifestyle While we believe that taking supplements containing lutein may be beneficial to eye health, we do not endorse any brand. Smoking Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group, SanGiovanni JP, Chew EY, et al. The relationship of dietary carotenoid and vitamin A, E, and C intake with age-related macular degeneration in a case-control study: AREDS Report No. 22. Arch Ophthalmol. 2007 Sep;125(9):1225-32. doi: 10.1001/archopht.125.9.1225. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17846363/ Supplementation with bilberry or pine bark extract supplements have been shown to improve capillary resistance and reduce leakages into the retina – slowing or preventing diabetic retinopathy [1] [2] and even some recovery of vision [3]. It stands to reason that a supplement containing a combination of these ingredients would be beneficial in diabetic retinopathy, and further research is warranted.

Macushield Gold

Play a vital role in retinal cell survival and are crucial for the normal functioning of antioxidant enzymes

Snellen EL, Verbeek AL, et al. Neovascular age-related macular degeneration and its relationship to antioxidant intake. Acta Ophthalmol Scand. 2002 Aug;80(4):368-71. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0420.2002.800404.x. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12190777/ Similarly, the daily dose of Vitamin C is only 80mg (versus 500mg in AREDS2), Zinc only 10mg (versus 25mg), and Copper only 0.5mg (versus 2mg). This is giving people false assurance because they think that they are taking an “AREDS2 supplement” but in reality they are not! One can only imagine that the makers of MacuXXXXX gives you less than that recommended in AREDS2 because it’s cheaper for them to make and can sell their product cheaply…and there are many other “AREDS2 supplements” like this! This specific nutrient combination has been formulated to match the supplements used in Phase 2 of the Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS2). The AREDS studies are large, scientific trials conducted by the National Eye Institute in the United States, which looked at the role of dietary supplements in Age Related Macular Degeneration. Your eye care professional has told you that you have many medium-sized drusen* or one or more large drusen in one or both eyes (you may have large drusen and still have good vision). RECOMMENDED BY LEADING EYE SPECIALISTS – The AREDS2 formula is recommended by doctors and eye-care professionals because it is clinically proven. The AREDS2 research showed the benefits of nutritional support in AMD and has become the gold standard in AMD eye health. Vision Defender AMD eye supplement conforms exactly to AREDS2 recommendations so you can be confident that it works to care for your eyes and help maintain normal vision.

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Diet is important because certain nutrients protect the body from damaging substances called oxidants. It is therefore scientifically one the best nutrient combinations for the maintenance of macular heath. Oxidants are thought to be partly responsible for the ageing process. In the eye they may contribute to the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by speeding up cell degeneration. The AREDS2 formula has largely superseded the original AREDS formula, and remains the ‘Gold Standard’ in nutritional supplementation in AMD.

VisuBright is formulated to the Age-Related Eye Disease Studies (AREDS/AREDS2) findings regarding the combination of nutrients most effective at reducing the risk of Age-related Macular degeneration (AMD) progression and Vision decline. In the AREDS trial, the 80 mg zinc dose (alone or in combination with antioxidant vitamins) was found to be effective compared to a placebo. Although zinc was found to be an essential component of the AREDS formulation, some nutritional experts recommended a lower dose. In the AREDS2 trial, there was no placebo control. Instead, participants were given the option to take the original formula or to be randomly assigned to receive a modified version, such as a formula containing 25 mg zinc. The investigators did not find a difference in the effects of 80 mg vs. 25 mg zinc. Because AREDS2 did not include a placebo control, results from AREDS, placebo-controlled trial, are still considered the gold standard. Gaziano JM, Glynn RJ, et al. Vitamins E and C in the prevention of prostate and total cancer in men: the Physicians' Health Study II randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2009 Jan 7;301(1):52-62. doi: 10.1001/jama.2008.862. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19066368/ TRUST AND BENEFIT FROM THE SPECIALISTS - The trusted Vision Defender range of eye health supplements has been specially developed by qualified health care professionals to improve the health and vision of your eyes. Our Chief Pharmacist and Co-Founder Keith specialises in eye nutrition and has written a book: “Help! What Vitamins Should I Take for My Eyes?”. Our eyesight is precious and important in everything we do - continue to do all the things you love with Vision Defender.Vitamin supplementation with AREDS2 Vitamin combinations such as VisuBright is an easy way to be proactive about your eye health and reduce the risk of AMD progression and associated vision loss.