mg copper as cupric oxide (added because high levels of zinc can reduce the amount of copper in the body). During the AREDS trial, two large trials funded by the National Cancer Institute found that beta-carotene may increase lung cancer risk among people who smoke. Lutein and zeaxanthin are in the same family of nutrients as beta-carotene and are believed to have important functions in the retina. Lutein and zeaxanthin have not been associated with increased cancer risk. LUTEIN & ZEAXANTHIN - The only two macular carotenoids recommended by the latest AREDS 2 research. Supporting healthy pigmentation and therefore protection against wear and tear of the macula. The third macula pigment meso-zeaxanthin is shown to be created in the eye once you have good dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin.

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. Be Proactive About Your Eye Health with VisuBright - The Comprehensive Solution for Proactive AMD Support. Gorusupudi A, Nelson K, Bernstein PS. The Age-Related Eye Disease 2 Study: Micronutrients in the treatment of macular degeneration. Adv Nutr. 2017;8(1):40-53. doi:10.3945/an.116.013177 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. Also be aware of supplements containing only bilberries and not pine bark extract – bilberry supplements are common, but those combined with pine bark extract are uncommon.Another thing to consider is whether the supplement contain other ingredients NOT in the AREDS2 recommendations. Remember – only the AREDS and AREDS2 formula have been clinically proven to work. Tan JS, Wang JJ, et al. Dietary antioxidants and the long-term incidence of age-related macular degeneration: the Blue Mountains Eye Study. Ophthalmology. 2008 Feb;115(2):334-41. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2007.03.083. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17664009/ 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/

AREDS 2 (Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2) was a very large research study. It looked at taking vitamins and minerals daily for AMD. This study found that certain nutritional supplements could help some people who have a lot of drusen. These supplements may also lower risk of wet AMD and vision loss in the second eye of people who lost vision in one eye from AMD. Taking the following nutritional supplements every day may help these people lower their risk of getting late-stage or wet AMD: Not all supplements have sound clinical research to support their claims. Beware of any which claim to 'cure' macular degeneration.

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Vitamin E 400 IU: Vitamin E is an antioxidant, thought to protect the eyes from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause damage to the DNA. Some studies suggest very light cooking may increase the bioavailability of lutein; that is the ease with which the body can absorb the lutein. At present the strongest evidence about which vitamin formula to take comes from AREDS (2001) and AREDS2 (2012), two large-scale clinical trials carried out in the United States.

PROTECT AND SUPPORT YOUR EYES AND EYESIGHT – Maintaining the health of our eyes and vision is essential for our daily living and independence. Meso-Zeaxanthin, Lutein and Zeaxanthin, are carotenoids found in the eye pigment and protects the eye by acting as an antioxidant, defending against free radicals and absorbing and filtering harmful blue light and UV. Copper, Vitamin C and E contribute to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal vision. 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. The AREDS2 formula has largely superseded the original AREDS formula, and remains the ‘Gold Standard’ in nutritional supplementation in AMD. Many people with AMD have drusen. These alone do not cause vision loss. But when drusen grow in size or number, you are at risk for getting early or intermediate AMD. There are not always symptoms with these stages of AMD, though people with intermediate AMD might start to notice a blurred spot in their central vision. In 2009, the Physicians Health Study II (PHS II) found that 400 IU of vitamin E every other day for a follow-up of eight years had no effect on the incidence of prostate cancer. ( reference 9)Your chance of getting advanced AMD. Studies show that nutritional supplements might help people with early to intermediate AMD who are at risk for developing advanced AMD.

You should not take any supplement with beta carotene (vitamin A) if you smoke or have smoked as evidence suggests it increases the risk of lung cancer. The AREDS2 studies showed that a supplement containing the ‘ AREDS2 formula‘ can reduce the risk of those with intermediate AMD progressing to advanced/late AMD [1]. In people with late AMD in one eye, the AREDS2 formula can lower the risk of getting late AMD in the other eye. They won’t prevent or cure AMD, but they can slow it. Mares-Perlman JA, Fisher AI, et al. Lutein and zeaxanthin in the diet and serum and their relation to age-related maculopathy in the third national health and nutrition examination survey. Am J Epidemiol. 2001 Mar 1;153(5):424-32. doi: 10.1093/aje/153.5.424. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11226974/ Advanced dry AMD develops when cells in your macula begin to break down or when wet AMD develops. This is when the blurred spot in your central vision starts getting bigger and darker. That is what robs you of your central vision. Dry AMD andAREDS Vitamins

A supplement containing DHA/EPA omega-3 should also been considered – especially since taking 250mg DHA ‘contributes to the maintenance of normal vision’ and is an authorised EU health claim! Antioxidants reduce this harmful effect. Vitamins A, C and E are antioxidants. Carotenoids are also effective against oxidants. Lutein and zeaxanthin are important carotenoids. Many of these substances can only be obtained from food. 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. The AREDS and AREDS2 trials found no adverse effects of 400 IU/day vitamin E. Other studies of adults taking more than 1,500 IU/day from natural vitamin E and 1,100 IU/day for synthetic vitamin E observed increased risk of bleeding, including brain bleeds. Most studies of vitamin E supplementation below these levels have shown beneficial or no effects on heart disease. Supplementation with lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin have been shown to elevate MP density [1]. In particular, the CREST study showed taking lutein 10mg, zeaxanthin 2mg, and meso-zeaxanthin 10mg in participants who have no eye problems increased their macular pigment level, and improved their vision [2].