Has anyone ever taken these supplements called Areds2 when living in Australia? If yes how do they help?
Areds 2 supplement for wet macular degener... - Macular Society
Areds 2 supplement for wet macular degeneration
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38 Replies
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I may be wrong but I think they're recommended for the dry type ( those folk not able to have antivegf inj). No idea if they'd help with wetmd.
Macushield/Macushield Gold are a supplement good for eyes if one wants a convenient method of ingesting the key stuff instead of eating lots of the 'right' foods. They aren't cheap but other brands dont always have all the 3 key ingredients Mesozeaxanthin Zeaxanthin Lutein in the right proportions.
I think the Mac Soc have info on areds2 on their webpage, the special combination of ingredients was arrived at after detailed scientific study on eye health ( again, I think of drymd sufferers).
• in reply to
Thank you so much for your reply. Helped me heaps. Will look into the Macu shield one. I do try to eat lots of green stuff but in winter I find it more difficult. Appreciated your reply.
• in reply to
You're welcome! I used to make green smoothies but had to put so much fruit in to make them palatable that I put on weight lol.
You could make soup tho. Sometimes I buy ' fresh' cartons as a quick base and just add extra kale, watercress etc.
• in reply to
Yes soup is good or a stir fry without the oil. At the moment salads are still okay as it is still hot here. Thanks for the tip though.
• in reply to
Z, just a quick note to apologise for being party to hijacking your original post. It's difficult when threads go off topic. X
princess1931• in reply to
Best thing for eyehealth is a Lutein supplement for both wet and dry ARMD
Zanthorea,
I have been taking supplements for many years and have studied this nutritional area in great depth. I have learned a great deal. Here is some of what I know:
I imagine the last paragraph of a book I recently located stated it best: “Supplements are not drugs or medication.” For many years, I have been taking extremely potent forms of all the ingredients contained in the Aereds/Aareds2, Preservation, and other eye formulations, with much higher quality and potency, plus many, many additional ingredients not contained or omitted from those formulations, manufactured by highly reputable vitamin companies. Those commercial blends, over-the-counter, are never potent enough, in general. In addition, never choose pills/tablets; always choose CAPSULES, if at all possible. It is much cheaper for vitamin companies to slam a few ingredients into a tablet/pill, usually with all kinds of undesirable additives including artificial colors, binding agents (things to hold the tablet together), etc. You are swallowing “rocks” and they lay in the stomach, sometimes irritating, and take much longer to dissolve and get into the blood stream. Capsules are much more expensive to manufacture, the ingredients must be ground into a fine powder, they rarely , if ever, irritate the stomach, and they dissolve and get into the blood stream much faster. If anyone’s eyes should have been protected by ANY eye supplement ingredients, over many, many years, it should have been me. Bottom line...they absolutely did not work, help, or protect me.
The Eylea medication has already started to improve the vision in my right eye, and it has only been ONE week and only ONE injection dose. Regeneron, the manufacturer of Eylea, calls it their ”Blockbuster.” Despite the needle injection delivery, I am very quickly agreeing with them. My conclusion: The eye condition is much too strong a problem for ANY eye supplements to handle.
On the other hand, I have been taking several other supplements to target certain different things, and I am experiencing dramatic improvements. I am taking these in very potent doses, over many years. Some nutritional supplements help some people, while they do nothing for others, and the range of results varies significantly as well. This is also very true of medication. Another problem encountered with supplements, and especially those commercial brands, is they are simply not potent enough to do anything or make any difference whatsoever. In light of this knowledge, I would tell you to try supplements and see if they help you in any way, as long as the supplements cannot hurt you in any way. You must also be sure the supplements do not conflict with any medication you may be taking. With certain conditions, it is also VERY NECESSARY to adjust and completely change dietary and eating. Very often, you absolutely cannot expect dramatic results from any supplements, or even drugs/medication, without handling /addressing foods accordingly.
A number of years ago, my mother had a blood test indicating elevated cholesterol. One of her doctors wanted to put her on a statin drug. I was very cautious because of the side effects of statin drugs. I told the doctor, “no statin drugs for my mother.” I wanted to try something else first. I began giving her very special plant sterols and fiber, taken with meals. The studies indicating effectiveness/success with this, are overwhelming.
On her next blood test, my mother’s LDL cholesterol had dropped from 212 to 161. No change in diet, which had been fine regardless. The plant sterols worked with no negative side effects, without any statin drugs
Take care,
Bunny1756
• in reply toBunny1756
Thank you so so much for this very eye opening message. And I am so happy for you that the first injection was already so successful! I will return the Areds 2 I purchased from iHerb and I might just buy a general Macu Vision Tablet. Do you know which brand would be good.
Thank you also for the tip about the plant sterols. My cholesterol level was quite high (especially the bad one) for the first time and I have to look at something to lower it. I bought this special spread but have no clue what else would help. I am very surprised how your mother got her level down so quickly. Wow I am impressed.
Bunny1756• in reply to
Zanthorea,
Did you read what I wrote, very carefully? NO TABLETS!! Please read it again!!
Wait until later today for me and I will tell you exactly what to take and exactly where to obtain them, for eyes and cholesterol. I am 5 hours behind you timewise and I need to sleep for a while.
Bunny(;3
• in reply toBunny1756
Yes I did read it and am very grateful for your input. Hope you have a good rest!
Yes I have Macushield Gold and before that Lutein, and presently take them.
I had wet macular degeneration since I was 60 in my left eye luckily it has dried up after 2 yrs of injections. It then came in my right eye for which I am receiving eyelea injections therefore I do take religiously now, occasionally
Forget. The leaflet says that is scientifically proven to promote eye health, My condition has remained stable and my eyesight. It is supposed to slow down the degeneration. I also take joint supplements and slowing down those problems too. It has helped me. I also try and exercise eat healthy, keep to-a steady weight. Both my parents became virtually blind so I have
A real incentive to keep my eyesight as well as I can. Wishing you well with yours. Everyone’s experience is individual, I am now nearly 68. I remember my mum not being able to see her grandchildren’s faces, I really do not want that to happen to me. .
• in reply toIvyRose2
thank you for that. So you do take the Macushield gold is that right? Or the Lutein as well? I have the wet macular type and therefore Areds2 won't be the right supplement I guess. I am with you about loosing the eye sight. Must be tremendously difficult.
IvyRose2• in reply to
I take Macushield gold now, infact I read about it on this website. I used to take the Lutein which is similar when I had dry macular degeneration recommended by my optician recently back off a training course and my rt eye stayed dry for 5 yrs. I can’t say I religiously took it everyday though. Since I have had wet macular degeneration I take it more diligently. Macushield Gold has zinc. And also some added vitamins. I feel that it has helped slow down my macular degeneration. I was given some samples too from my hospital. Yes you can get it all in diet too, but how many of us eat a perfect diet! I buy mine in Boots and get the 3rd packet free.
IvyRose2• in reply to
My left eye treated with injections has remained dry, so I will continue to take Macushield Gold. I think more research should be done in this area.
I take a Areds2 formula for my eyes . Not sure if they work but eyes are stable. The studies suggest they do help . I will try anything!
But make sure it has the correct formula as another study was done that showed not all manufactures use the right amounts as suggested .
You must have the dry type I guess because it does say it is for dry macular degeneration. Am I correct? And which brand do you take?
I read that AREDS2 supplements help slow the progression between intermediate and advanced AMD in some people. So, based on that, AREDS2 wouldn't benefit someone with wet AMD, because wet AMD is an advanced form of the disease.
Hi there Zanthorea,
Yes, thank you Eyesright, we do have info on our website and the Nutrition and Eye Health leaflet can be downloaded, or listened to (link below).
The general consensus among the eye care professions is that if you eat well enough, you shouldn't need them - of course not everyone likes/can eat/etc all the foods, so a supplement can then be a good idea.
For wet AMD of course, then the anti VEGF's are the only real course of action.
Our Manager here makes kale smoothies. I personally can't think of anything worse, however, if that's the only way you can get it into you, then go for it - he claims it makes it more palatable 
Link to leaflet:
macularsociety.org/sites/de...
Link to audio version:
macularsociety.org/sites/de...
Best wishes
Su
Macular Society A&I
Hello Su,
You are incorrect about trying to obtain the eye supplementation from food. It absolutely will not and cannot possibly happen. It is practically impossible to eat enough of the limited foods to obtain even the smallest levels of those substances that the eye requires. For example , these are almost no foods that contain lutein and zeaxanthin, two substances that are contained in the eye, supporting the eye health. These are substances which diminish substantially with aging. They are highly concentrated in the retina and macula of the eye. A person could not possibly eat enough of the limited quantities necessary to obtain or even maintain even trace levels to deliver the high potency necessary to be anywhere near effective. There are so little foods that contain these substances, it is virtually impossible. In fact, despite what is advertised by the commercial manufacturers, in most of the commercial, over-the-counter brands, these do not contain enough potency either! Not even close! The only possible way to do this is with correct supplementation.
Bunny1756
• in reply toBunny1756
I advise caution in what you're advising Bunny. It is entirely possible to overdose on any substance (including water!) with varying effects upon different individuals - who/what has determined the potency levels you are insisting upon for your own consumption?
Many folk will not know of any potentially detrimental interactions etc. as applied to their own unique situation and so to be safe should take the best expert advice they can find.
As I understand it the scientific formula of areds2 has been carefully formulated from clinical trials to provide proven results for a specific condition. Neither you nor I have that condition so should not expect the ingredients, however ingested, to necessarily affect our vision.
From a biological standpoint it is very inefficient to say the least if an organism cannot obtain all necessary nutrition from its environment - how on earth have generations of humans survived? Supplements may be convenient but I do not believe they are the only useful source of vital nutrients and, additionally, foodstuffs deliver those nutrients along with other necessary elements such as fibre etc which the body also requires.
I do agree with your viewpoint on plant sterols v statins but it can take quite some time. Again, everyone is different.
Bunny1756• in reply to
Eyesright,
Thank you for your informative information. I definitely agree with you, in that everyone is different. You are correct; they are not the only useful source. However, it is virtually impossible to obtain therapeutic levels of certain effective supportive nutrients from foods because of the higher levels contained in supplements, including those like Areds, Preservation, and the other commercial, over-the-counter brands. I have studied them in great detail. My observation is that most of these do not contain sufficient levels to be effective. This is my opinion. “Clinically tested” or otherwise, all I am trying to suggest is for someone to see if certain things will work for them. Of course, everyone’s condition is different and variable along with metabolism, and many other variables, as are clinical trials for all sorts of available over-the-counter brands.
I will give you another example of something else I just encountered, which I was completely surprised about and totally unexpected. Everyone from doctors to wonderful people here are recommending use of numerous available “clinically tested” over-the-counter eye drops to help with injection pain. On Wednesday, my opthomologist’s office gave me a little bottle sample of one of them. I was just informed by a very reputable scientist and respected pharmacist, these eye drop formulations, all “clinically tested” are dangerous and not to use them! I am going to probe much further and obtain all the facts which I have not had the opportunity to do as yet. Am I going to use them? Until I obtain all the information, and learn everything I need to know....not right now!
As with everything, and even as I was repeatedly told here, we all must make our own choices based upon research, guidance, and many other things. Giving my mother the completely safe, successfully proven, plant sterols, saved her from the undesirable side effects of “clinically tested,” doctor prescribed, statin drugs. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
I once heard an undertaker say to a doctor, “Please do not advise me as to what I should do and how things should always be handled. I bury your mistakes.”
Take care,
Bunny1756
• in reply toBunny1756
Yes you're absolutely right in that many otc brands do not have the correct levels. What those correct levels are is a key consideration and people should absolutely have the freedom to find what works for them, but not everyone will/ is able to research thoroughly.
My post was simply concern that some may miss the nuance of elements of your post and focus only on one aspect without reading fully. You go from saying ' absolutely will not, cannot possibly happen' to ' virtually impossible' : from 'simply not potent enough to make any difference whatsoever' to ' never potent enough in general ' - these statements are in essence contradictory ( one an absolute, the other not) and could confuse/unintentionally mislead some who do not have the benefit of your years of self experimental study.
Your undertaker quote is truly an apt one which I'm sure you'd agree applies to all of us.
Many will be happy to rely upon the mac soc guidance, provided as it is by the years of study of eye care professionals.
I do not say that all professionals are correct nor all wrong. We find many inconsistencies in guidance on a range of topics ( your eye drops a case in point). I shall await your report on that with interest.
Bunny1756• in reply to
Eyesright,
The statements are MY conclusions based upon years of research, proven facts, and probing. They are not contradictory, nor should they be taken out of context. Anything we do and every decision we make, is often based upon some or all of a variety of circumstances, and there will always be contradictions. Take these needle injection procedures as the greatest of examples. Talk about taking risks! Read the FDA and corporate dangers warnings and side effects! Needle injections into eyes? Think about it! Just what are we all doing? It’s crazy! After six solid months of learning.....probing....medical guidance.....education...gracious help....I made the cautious decision to go ahead.
I shall definitely let you and everyone here know exactly what I learn regarding the over-the-counter, readily available, “clinically tested” dangerous eye drops, highly recommended by doctors, eye care specialists, the macular organizations and others. In the meantime, MY brakes are on.....big time.
Blessings to you,
Bunny
• in reply toBunny1756
Bunny I will not labour the point suffice to say the examples I quoted clearly do not have the same meaning yet are presented as having such, perhaps it is simply a fundamental language difference between English and American?
We can agree to disagree can we not?
Of course I acknowledge and agree your statements are YOUR conclusions, I never meant to suggest otherwise.
Can you tell us now exactly what your scientist & pharmacist contacts said is wrong about the eye drops ( and which ones your doc had given you?). That will allow others to also do their own research. And we can then pool information for the potential benefit of all. Thankyou.
Bunny1756• in reply to
Eyesright,
I will tell you and everyone here everything as soon as I have all the facts. I am going to start with my doctor (Chief of Opthamology and Surgery and Chief Clinical Professor), the Medical C enter and medical school, and pharmaceutical personnel. It’s that critical.
For now, MY brakes are on......big time.
Take care,
Bunny
• in reply toBunny1756
I prefer to gather my own facts, to my own timescale thank you Bunny.
To make such a startling negative statement as you have and leave it hanging is not a nice thing to do. Do you not see that?
Many here have shared information with you freely in a supportive way as per the ethos of this forum and I believe it is beholden upon you to reciprocate in the same manner. We attempted to relieve your worries but you have now surely done the opposite to many reading your post.
You have seen that the use of (soothing) eye drops is common yet you have put out controversial hearsay - the suggestion that users of (?soothing?) drops are potentially putting themselves at harm - without even specifying which drops are being questioned. This is reckless and I am very disappointed.
I have not asked for anything from you beyond clarification of what you say you have been told by these 'experts'. I have to wonder why you would choose not to provide this simple answer.
Bunny1756• in reply to
Eyesright,
No one is stopping you or anyone else from researching this yourself, thank you. I told you point blank, I do not have the answers to your questions yet. I was also too busy worrying about that injection coming up. I was in the doctor’s office, sleeping and waiting, and wound up talking to this very fine scientist/pharmacist, an MD/PhD, who brought his wife in, who had just had surgery. He was talking about ALL of those drop products, not just one brand, I need to learn more before I will say anything further, rather than detail information that could be misinterpreted. I was also very surprised to hear any a of this, especially in light of how much they are used and recommended. There I was given a bottle right there at that time. Further, you should never accuse me or anyone else of not sharing information here. I just went out of my way to help and give information to another person here. That is terribly mean and wrong of you. I am the one very hurt.You were also the person who began telling me I should not say things!
Bunny
• in reply toBunny1756
Sadly you are misinterpreting my words Bunny and missing the salient point I have made. I'm sorry you have done that and feel hurt, there is absolutely no reason for you to.
I trust others recognise this.
I wish you an informed and positive future, I will leave you to it.
Bunny1756• in reply to
Eyesright,
It is people like you who create problems in this world, You need to recognize this. You started this conflict. I am positive everyone here recognizes this. I have enough to deal with without you. Please do not e-.mail me again.
Goodbye.
Bunny
The problem with research is that even if you know what you’re doing and can avoid dubious sources you will still get a myriad of opinions. Even medical trials carried out under the strictest conditions will yield conflicting results. Scientists are notorious for disagreeing with one another and different medical specialists disagree. And of course treatment of diseases is constantly changing with previously lauded medicines being withdrawn due to safety concerns. All we can do is choose (as you have) an expert we trust and feel confident in and then stick to that person. You said your retina doctor is “Chief of Ophthalmology and Surgery and Chief Clinical Professor” and that you rated him highly. His office gave you drops to use. Then you got into conversation with a stranger who advised you NOT to use those drops. OK he said he was a scientist but if you were to take his advice over your doctor’s and things didn’t turn out well, where is your scientist? I’ve read that in the US people frequently sue doctors so I don’t think an eminent physician such as yours is going to risk prescribing a non-essential medication if he thinks it’s risky. And of course, soothing drops ARE non-essential (unlike iodine or equivalent and antibiotic drops. It is your choice whether you use them.
My only concern is that newcomers to this forum will see your comments and believe them to be facts. This forum, the participants and the Mac Soc are fantastic. The Mac Soc have been around a long time. They are a charity and do excellent work informing and supporting us. We, the participants, do our best to support one another and share our experiences. We are not experts, which is why you will often see the caveat”it is always best to check with your doctor/clinic”. In the end it is these people who have the most experience as they see and treat hundreds of us every week. Hope this helps.
TwasBrillig,
Thank you for what you have written here. Yes, I trust my doctor. I never expected to encounter that information about the drops. Nevertheless, I could not simply dismiss it, I was also very concerned because I now knew so many here were using them, I knew another MD/Ph.D. pharmacist who passed away a number of years ago. I learned a great deal from him over many years. Very often, the pharmacists know much more about medications and their interactions than the doctors, The doctors and the pharmacists are often in strong conflict with each other. There was a definite reason that man advised against using those drops. He introduced himself to me and offered the advice. I listened. We all have a great deal to learn in this world, As I have said many times, I am very grateful for everyone’s kindness and help here.
Take care,
Bunny
No Bunny; “everyone here” will NOT recognise this.
Eyesright is one of the most kind and supportive members here. She has sent you more positive and helpful messages than anyone else and I think you have been incredibly rude and ungrateful. I am sure others here will agree!
Hi Zanthorea,
I sent you a message on your private site to test it before I detail the information as I mentioned.
Bunny1756
I live in UK so I really do not know the answer to that question, but each person is an individual, and the stages and progression and types are unique to each person. However I believe in keeping as healthy and fit, like not smoking and exercising also, I cannot see why taking supplements can do harm, if they may have a benefit.
I forgot to mention in my comments always check with your Pharmacist that the supplements are compatible with your medication.
I currently take one Nutrof daily but Macushield appears to be better if you take three a day - it contains AREDS, according to the latest review.
I might transfer to Macushield in the future but am unsure.
When I asked a professional about the benefits for this type of pill, can I afford not to take them was the reply?
This was why I raised the subject last week, here. The real answer is a well-balanced diet but how does one know if we're deficient of certain nutrients? Kale is supposed to be good - a bit chewy though.
I have wet AMD in both eyes and I have taken these pills since 2011m(approx)
There’s not enough follow through research and no one asks if you take them. First doc at eye hospital recommended them and my first injection was very successful but cannot attribute that to supplements or just Eyelea. Hardly take them now and found a bilberry extra cheaper than the macushield. We can react differently to treatments so the answer really is nobody knows!
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