I don't think it's the AREDS2 causing my stomach issues. Never thought of that though. Here's something interesting. My eye surgeon and his clinic really stress taking AREDS2 twice a day. I'm asked each time if I'm taking the supplement. The answer is Yes. However, I mentioned that I took two weeks off because I didn't have any left and I felt my eyes weren't the same. Not quite as good as when taking them, or something, but different. The technician laughed and said "Oh, it's probably just the Placebo Effect. " The surgeon then came in and the discussion stopped. I go back in a week for the six month check after cataract surgeries and will try to get more information from the many people I see before the surgeon comes in and ask him also. Is AREDS2 just a placebo effect? Yes, I've read the study reports before I started and even today. I'm extremely confused.