Hello @cfbauer, Welcome to Connect. Here are a few studies on the topic.
"Major AREDS/AREDS2 findings:
-- 1. Taking AREDS or AREDS2 supplements reduces the risk of progression from intermediate to advanced AMD by about 25 percent
-- 2. AREDS and AREDS2 supplements do not prevent AMD onset
-- 3. AREDS and AREDS2 supplements do not have an effect on cataract
-- 4. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements do not have an effect on cataract or AMD
-- 5. Current and former smokers should take the AREDS2 formula and avoid the AREDS formula with beta-carotene, which increases lung cancer risk"
--- Age-Related Eye Disease Studies (AREDS/AREDS2) - major findings: https://www.nei.nih.gov/research/clinical-trials/age-related-eye-disease-studies-aredsareds2/about-areds-and-areds2
Hello @cfbauer, Welcome to Connect. Here are a few studies on the topic.
"Major AREDS/AREDS2 findings:
-- 1. Taking AREDS or AREDS2 supplements reduces the risk of progression from intermediate to advanced AMD by about 25 percent
-- 2. AREDS and AREDS2 supplements do not prevent AMD onset
-- 3. AREDS and AREDS2 supplements do not have an effect on cataract
-- 4. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements do not have an effect on cataract or AMD
-- 5. Current and former smokers should take the AREDS2 formula and avoid the AREDS formula with beta-carotene, which increases lung cancer risk"
--- Age-Related Eye Disease Studies (AREDS/AREDS2) - major findings: https://www.nei.nih.gov/research/clinical-trials/age-related-eye-disease-studies-aredsareds2/about-areds-and-areds2
I took the 23 and me dna test and I have the mutated CFH gene with Y402H double alleles. This AMD mutation should not take AREDS2 with zinc. The retina doctors don't do genetic testing
I have articles that articdx a genetic macular testing company sent me and this is an exerpt from one of the articles. I am taking Vit eyes without zinc.
Sorry cant access photo- this is one of the articles’ title. ARMS is another mutation that acts differently from CFH.
CFH and ARMS genetic risk determines progression to neovascular age-related macular degeneration after antioxidant and zinc supplementation
Demetrios G. Vavvas (Anunpo, Г. Báßpaç)", Kent W. Small', Carl C. Awh', Brent W. Zanke", Robert J. Tibshiranie,t1,
Is the reward comparable to the loss? I started on areds 2 many years before my transplant and continued 5 years there after. I eventually switched to a formula without zinc due to low copper and intersction with tacrolimus. Recent info. Has defined the areds 2 without zinc is just as effective. But now after the switch I am facing a possible cancer evaluation because I switched. Why are such problems not researched and posted on the container or on the internet. Even cigarettes are required to make statements related to cancer studies but areds 2 is just as dangerous.
Is the reward comparable to the loss? I started on areds 2 many years before my transplant and continued 5 years there after. I eventually switched to a formula without zinc due to low copper and intersction with tacrolimus. Recent info. Has defined the areds 2 without zinc is just as effective. But now after the switch I am facing a possible cancer evaluation because I switched. Why are such problems not researched and posted on the container or on the internet. Even cigarettes are required to make statements related to cancer studies but areds 2 is just as dangerous.
@eyak1950
Just to help clarify:
The medication you mentioned , tacrolimus, is an immunosuppressant used after major organ transplants (most often kidney or liver) to prevent rejection of the transplanted organ. Because tacrolimus suppresses the immune system, transplant patients routinely undergo cancer screenings regardless of what supplements they take.
This is separate from AREDS2.
There is no evidence that the medical community has found AREDS2—with or without zinc—causes cancer. The monitoring you described would be related to long-term immunosuppression, not to the AREDS2 formula or the switch to a zinc-free version. No cancer warnings on Areds2 bottles like on a package of cigarettes because there has been no evidence it is linked to cancer.
In my case with the CFH gene with double Y alleles the zinc in the original formula can cause me to advance to GA or advanced AMD quicker some studies have shown. The CFH gene regulates inflammation which contributes to my AMD. Well the medical community is just not really sure about genes and AMD quite yet and there are conflicting results in the research articles and opinions so no DNA testing is performed on AMD patients when prescribed AREDS2. The original AREDS involved no DNA testing. Later peer reviewed studies showed the zinc in AREDS is harmful if the subject had the CFH double Y alleles. However the AREDS2 committee reviewed the newer subsequent DNA study evidence and determined it was inconclusive- so no duty to warn.
I was upset that this expensive supplement had been prescribed to me without any reservations to its ingredients whatsoever. It only helps 25 percent of intermediate AMD patients by only slowing down the disease progression for a few years.
3 months off of th AREDS 2 and I’m getting my life back. My docs were baffled as to why I was so sick. I had chronic diatrrhea a dehydration requiring several visits to the ER, lots of tests, colonoscopy, possible SIBO… sigh.
Ran across this thread when I was doing a search for side effects. What an eye- opener. Maybe there shold be a black box warning!
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Hello @cfbauer, Welcome to Connect. Here are a few studies on the topic.
"Major AREDS/AREDS2 findings:
-- 1. Taking AREDS or AREDS2 supplements reduces the risk of progression from intermediate to advanced AMD by about 25 percent
-- 2. AREDS and AREDS2 supplements do not prevent AMD onset
-- 3. AREDS and AREDS2 supplements do not have an effect on cataract
-- 4. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements do not have an effect on cataract or AMD
-- 5. Current and former smokers should take the AREDS2 formula and avoid the AREDS formula with beta-carotene, which increases lung cancer risk"
--- Age-Related Eye Disease Studies (AREDS/AREDS2) - major findings: https://www.nei.nih.gov/research/clinical-trials/age-related-eye-disease-studies-aredsareds2/about-areds-and-areds2
-- Age-Related Eye Disease Studies (AREDS/AREDS2) - What do the AREDS studies mean for you?:
https://www.nei.nih.gov/research/clinical-trials/age-related-eye-disease-studies-aredsareds2
You might also be interested in the following discussions:
-- AREDS 2 and side effects: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/areds/
-- Areds 2 (PreserVision): Anyone experienced muscle pain?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/areds-2-presservision-and-muscle-pain/
Have you discussed taking AREDS 2 with your eye doctor?
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3 ReactionsThank you so much
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1 ReactionI use consumer labs:
this top Viteye brand but with no zinc
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Hug
2 ReactionsI took the 23 and me dna test and I have the mutated CFH gene with Y402H double alleles. This AMD mutation should not take AREDS2 with zinc. The retina doctors don't do genetic testing
I have articles that articdx a genetic macular testing company sent me and this is an exerpt from one of the articles. I am taking Vit eyes without zinc.
The article
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsSorry cant access photo- this is one of the articles’ title. ARMS is another mutation that acts differently from CFH.
CFH and ARMS genetic risk determines progression to neovascular age-related macular degeneration after antioxidant and zinc supplementation
Demetrios G. Vavvas (Anunpo, Г. Báßpaç)", Kent W. Small', Carl C. Awh', Brent W. Zanke", Robert J. Tibshiranie,t1,
Is the reward comparable to the loss? I started on areds 2 many years before my transplant and continued 5 years there after. I eventually switched to a formula without zinc due to low copper and intersction with tacrolimus. Recent info. Has defined the areds 2 without zinc is just as effective. But now after the switch I am facing a possible cancer evaluation because I switched. Why are such problems not researched and posted on the container or on the internet. Even cigarettes are required to make statements related to cancer studies but areds 2 is just as dangerous.
@eyak1950
Just to help clarify:
The medication you mentioned , tacrolimus, is an immunosuppressant used after major organ transplants (most often kidney or liver) to prevent rejection of the transplanted organ. Because tacrolimus suppresses the immune system, transplant patients routinely undergo cancer screenings regardless of what supplements they take.
This is separate from AREDS2.
There is no evidence that the medical community has found AREDS2—with or without zinc—causes cancer. The monitoring you described would be related to long-term immunosuppression, not to the AREDS2 formula or the switch to a zinc-free version. No cancer warnings on Areds2 bottles like on a package of cigarettes because there has been no evidence it is linked to cancer.
In my case with the CFH gene with double Y alleles the zinc in the original formula can cause me to advance to GA or advanced AMD quicker some studies have shown. The CFH gene regulates inflammation which contributes to my AMD. Well the medical community is just not really sure about genes and AMD quite yet and there are conflicting results in the research articles and opinions so no DNA testing is performed on AMD patients when prescribed AREDS2. The original AREDS involved no DNA testing. Later peer reviewed studies showed the zinc in AREDS is harmful if the subject had the CFH double Y alleles. However the AREDS2 committee reviewed the newer subsequent DNA study evidence and determined it was inconclusive- so no duty to warn.
I was upset that this expensive supplement had been prescribed to me without any reservations to its ingredients whatsoever. It only helps 25 percent of intermediate AMD patients by only slowing down the disease progression for a few years.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions3 months off of th AREDS 2 and I’m getting my life back. My docs were baffled as to why I was so sick. I had chronic diatrrhea a dehydration requiring several visits to the ER, lots of tests, colonoscopy, possible SIBO… sigh.
Ran across this thread when I was doing a search for side effects. What an eye- opener. Maybe there shold be a black box warning!