ARED's Formual is the Reference Standard, But This Has Lutein & Zeax…
Google "Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS)" and study up on the formula used in the government's National Eye Institute. This is one quoteworthy section: "The specific daily amounts of antioxidants and zinc used by the study researchers were 500 milligrams of vitamin C; 400 International Units of vitamin E; 15 milligrams of beta-carotene (often labeled as equivalent to 25,000 International Units of vitamin A); 80 milligrams of zinc as zinc oxide; and two milligrams of copper as cupric oxide. Copper was added to the AREDS formulations containing zinc to prevent copper deficiency anemia, a condition associated with high levels of zinc intake." Another quote-worthy section is "Can a Daily Multivitamin Alone Provide the Same High Levels of Antioxidants and Zinc as the AREDS Formulation? No. The AREDS formulation's levels of antioxidants and zinc are considerably higher than the amounts in any daily multivitamin." This particular NON-AREDS formula does NOT exactly match the National Eye Institute formula, but I buy and use it because it contains Lutein and Zeaxanthin which have been reported to be very significant in preventing or slowing macular degeneration and for general eye health. I supplement with the following additional anti-oxidants: Vitamin E, which is both lower-dosed in this formula, and because it is the dl-alpha synthetic version instead of the naturally occuring, and easier to absorb, d-alpha version (the "l" after the "d" means it is a chemical "mirror image" in which the formula is identical but it is left-handed in layout instead of right-handed). I have been thinking of switching to a different formulation due to the "dl" Vitamin E. But all the recommendations I have seen emphasize the importance of both Lutein AND Zeaxanthin; Lutein is available in the same dosage, much cheaper, in the Super Vision formulation from Trader Joes, but then TJ (usually good about these things!) completely blows the other supplements (Vit A and E, the zinc and copper) necessary to match the National Eye Institute AREDS formula. Both Bausch and Lomb and Alcon have eye vitamin formulas, so do your homework carefully and make the best compromise possible. Then supplement (as necessary!) your eye vitamin "supplement." If only someone took the AREDS formula, added Lutein and Zeaxthin, and used natural isomers of the vitamins instead of the dl synthetic versions. I will put the link to the AREDS page in the first comment to this review; Amazon allows links (which you cut and paste) in comments but not in the main review
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