Areds2 problems ?

Posted by bigaal @bigaal, Oct 10, 2023

I am reading about problems with AREDS2, I have been taking them for about 10 yrs, should i stop ?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Eye Conditions Support Group.

Have you taken the genetic zinc sensitivity test? I'm not sure it's even still considered a problem for AMD, but those who are sensitive to zinc were told not to take the formula with zinc because the levels were too high and could cause damage.

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@bigaal

Type in Areds2 in the topic line at the top of the screen and you will see numerous discussions about this eye vitamin. Many complaints were about stomach upsets and an excessive amount of zinc.

I stopped Preservision Areds2 about a year and a half ago and now take Macular Support from Pure Encapsulations. There have been studies about its lack of effectiveness. No one here will tell you to stop taking it…that’s up to you or your Doctor. Pure Encapsulations is a reputable company. I order most of my vitamins from them and take the Macular Support at half dose.

I don’t know your reason for taking this vitamin or if it is what your doctor had suggested. Please research the company for any supplements you take and I suggest you avoid Amazon for any health or beauty products. Pure Encapsulations does not authorize Amazon as a reseller despite what you might read. As much as Amazon is vigilant there are counterfeit products sold.

FL Mary

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My husband and I bought Areds on Amazon then we got an email saying we were getting a refund. We stopped taking them and I called the company and haven’t heard anything back. Apparently according to the guy I talked to at the company they said they would look into it. That’s all I know.

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I was getting automatic mailing fromthe company , all of a sudden they stopped without notification. I think there may be a problem with Areds2 , or else why would they stop shipping ?

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I started AREDS2 in 2009 after ARMD diagnosis and stopped in 2014. I stopped because of increased tendency for nosebleeds and a serious GI bleed that I don't want to experience again. I was in the hospital for (6) days with (4) blood transfusions, Now the nosebleeds are approaching zero and no more GI bleeds.
I believe my problem with AREDS was due to a very high amount of Vitamin E dosage. So far, (9) years later I"m not having negative results with ARMD by quitting AREDS2.

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I second Bigaal’s suggestion to do a search on this site for AREDS. There are lots of posts about it. A few of those are mine, in which I explained my reasons that I stopped taking AREDS2. In short, they were making me progressively sicker and sicker. As soon as I stopped taking them in December of 2022, I stopped having the illness episodes. I just wonder if they’ve done any permanent damage to my body.

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@rnlorena

My husband and I bought Areds on Amazon then we got an email saying we were getting a refund. We stopped taking them and I called the company and haven’t heard anything back. Apparently according to the guy I talked to at the company they said they would look into it. That’s all I know.

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@mloren

I read about that…the seller was selling counterfeit vitamins….has been taken off Amazon’s list.

If you read reviews on other products people are receiving bogus merchandise all the time. I would assume the same goes for EBay but maybe to a lesser extent. I think what happens on EBay a lot is that some individuals buy legitimate products and resell them at inflated prices. Some are actual online stores. It’s really buyer beware. Even brick and mortar stores sell counterfeit products unknowingly.

I once read a review of buying products in the dollar stores that would literally make you cringe if you knew what was actually in the foods or beauty products that are so cheap.

Shop wisely and research when appropriate.

FL Mary

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@jimw9

I started AREDS2 in 2009 after ARMD diagnosis and stopped in 2014. I stopped because of increased tendency for nosebleeds and a serious GI bleed that I don't want to experience again. I was in the hospital for (6) days with (4) blood transfusions, Now the nosebleeds are approaching zero and no more GI bleeds.
I believe my problem with AREDS was due to a very high amount of Vitamin E dosage. So far, (9) years later I"m not having negative results with ARMD by quitting AREDS2.

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I just recently had some excessive bruising and bleeding issues from steroid shots in my eyes during cataract surgery and also at my regular tooth cleaning appointment. Both dentist and eye surgeon wanted me to follow up testing to see what the issue might be. I just completed extensive blood/platelet testing and all was normal. This leaves highly suspect the two AREDS2 vitamins I was taking prior to these issues. Suspect high vitamin E. I have discontinued AREDS2.

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@bec69

I just recently had some excessive bruising and bleeding issues from steroid shots in my eyes during cataract surgery and also at my regular tooth cleaning appointment. Both dentist and eye surgeon wanted me to follow up testing to see what the issue might be. I just completed extensive blood/platelet testing and all was normal. This leaves highly suspect the two AREDS2 vitamins I was taking prior to these issues. Suspect high vitamin E. I have discontinued AREDS2.

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I still have no bleed issues since I stopped taking AREDS2. In my case I believe it is the Vitamin E component of AREDS2. I do take Lutein (6mg) daily with no noticeable effects; good or bad.

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@bec69, @jimw,
I recently had cataract surgery, and your conversation interested me. Here is some information that I located from NIH (National Institute of Health) National Eye Institute
https://www.nei.nih.gov/research/clinical-trials/age-related-eye-disease-studies-aredsareds2/aredsareds2-frequently-asked-questions
- The dose of vitamin E in the AREDS formulation is higher than the recommended dietary allowance. Is this safe?..." vitamin E can interact with some medications, including blood thinners, chemotherapeutic agents, and lipid-lowering drugs. NEI recommends consulting with a health care provider before taking vitamin E or other nutritional supplements."...

According to NIH Office of Dietary Supplements page on vitamin E :
+Vitamin E can increase the risk of bleeding in people taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medicines, such as warfarin (Coumadin).

Are either of you taking blood thinner or another medication that could interact? Did your ophthalmologist check your medications before putting you on AREDS? What as your doctor's response to your reaction/bleeding and bruising?

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