Daily Vitamins for People with AMD

Many people with AMD wonder whether they should take a daily vitamin in addition to the vitamins recommended by the age-related eye disease study. They worry that they might be getting too much of a good thing. Most daily vitamins contain 100% of the daily recommended dose. The daily doses recommended by the AREDS study are much higher: about 7 times the daily recommended dose of vitamin C, 6 times the daily dose of beta-carotene, 13 times the daily dose of vitamin E and 5 times the daily dose of zinc. I tell most people to them to go ahead and take the daily vitamin and then not take the AREDS vitamins one day of the week. People who are on Coumadin should ask their doctor before taking a multivitamin because it may contain vitamin K which will interfere with its blooding thinning effect.

A recent study showed that elevated homocysteine and low serum vitamin B12 were associated with an increased risk of AMD. High levels of homocysteine increase the risk of thrombosis and cardiovascular disease. Vitamin B12 and folic acid are needed to metabolize homocysteine so a lack of these vitamins can lead to elevated levels.

B12 and folic acid are typically found in a daily vitamin supplement. Therefore this study perhaps indicates a need for the daily vitamin in addition to the ARED’s vitamins. As always, the best way to get these and other nutrients is to eat the right foods. Foods rich in B12 are mostly meats but fish and clams are also excellent sources. Foods rich in folic acid include dark leafy vegetables, whole wheat bread, nuts and beans. You shouldn’t count on vitamin supplements making up for a bad diet (highly processed foods, lots of animal fats, no vegetables). Do both, eat right and take the supplements.

Reference

1. Rochtchina E, Wang JJ, Flood VM, Mitchell P. Elevated serum homocysteine, low serum vitamin B12, folate, and age-related macular degeneration: the Blue Mountains Eye Study. Am J Ophthalmol. 2007 Feb;143(2):344-6. Epub 2006 Sep 29.