From the ArcaMax Publishing, Health & Fitness Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/healthtips/s-568273-707462
BELFAST, Northern Ireland (UPI) -- An eye care expert in Northern
Ireland suggests vitamin supplements may slow sight loss in the
elderly.
Usha Chakravarthy of Queen's University Center of Vision and Vacular
Science in Belfast says an anti-oxidant supplement may help prevent
early age-related macular degeneration in elderly patients from
progressing to late age-related macular.
Patients with late age-related macular degeneration lose their central
vision and are unable to read, watch television or recognize people's
faces.
Chakravarthy headed a five-year trial involving 400 people in Ireland
of the supplement CARMA -- Caroteneoids and Co-antioxidants in
Age-related Maculopathy -- which contained the carotenoids lutein and
zeaxanthin as well as zinc and vitamins C and E.
The study found participants taking high levels of both carotenoids
preserved the macular pigments, while macular pigments of those in a
placebo group declined steadily.
"These findings are important because this is the first randomized
controlled clinical trial to document a beneficial effect through
improved function and maintained macular pigments," Chakravarthy said
in a statement.