EyePromise AREDS 2 Plus Zinc Free

Who should take EyePromise AREDS 2 Plus Zinc-Free?
EyePromise AREDS 2 Plus Zinc-Free is designed for patients with intermediate to advanced age realted eye health issues.

Why does EyePromise offer zinc-free formulas?
Some doctors choose to conduct genetic test for their patient’s risk of AMD. Based on the results of the test, some patients may fair better without zinc. Currently ZeaVision offers two formulations without Zinc: EyePromise AREDS 2 Plus Zinc-Free and EyePromise Zeaxanthin + Lutein.

How long does a bottle of EyePromise AREDS 2 Plus Zinc-Free last?
Each bottle contains 60 softgels, or a one-month supply.

How long do I need to continue taking EyePromise AREDS 2 Plus Zinc-Free?
To maintain healthy vision, you should continuiosly take EyePromise AREDS 2 Plus Zinc-Free.

When and how should I take EyePromise AREDS 2 Plus Zinc-Free?
EyePromise AREDS 2 Plus Zinc-Free should be taken with a meal, preferably a meal that contains at least a small amount of fat, such as a piece of buttered toast.

What are the common side effects of taking EyePromise AREDS 2 Plus Zinc-Free?
With more than 50 million doses consumed to date, there have been no serious adverse events reported with the consumption of EyePromise nutraceuticals.  The most common adverse event reported is nausea, which has been successfully addressed by taking EyePromise with a meal.

What makes the EyePromise unique vs. other eye vitamins?
EyePromise has the right mix of ingredients scientifically demonstrated to be essential for healthy vision. The all-natural dietary Zeaxanthin in EyePromise is patent protected and the highest level available. Zeaxanthin is less common in the average diet than Lutein and EyePromise is uniquely designed to fulfill this important dietary gap.

What is the shelf life of EyePromise AREDS 2 Plus Zinc-Free?
3 years from date of manufacture. Each bottle should have an expiration date on it.

What if I don’t like EyePromise AREDS 2 Plus Zinc-Free after I buy it?
EyePromise offers a 60-day money-back guarantee on all products. If you are unsatisfied for any reason, you may return the product for a refund within the 60-day time frame.

Why isn’t EyePromise AREDS 2 Plus Zinc-Free available in retail stores?
ZeaVision sells EyePromise AREDS 2 Plus Zinc-Free in the professional channel where Eye Care Professionals can properly explain the ingredient benefits of specific supplement ingredients and proper quantity to maintain healthy vision. Retail stores typically sell a confusing array of eye supplements and it’s often very difficult to identify important differences between products.

Can children take EyePromise AREDS 2 Plus Zinc-Free?
Consult with your Eyecare and family doctor regarding consumption of EyePromise AREDS 2 Plus Zinc-Free if you are under the age of 18.

Is this product gluten free?
Yes, this product is gluten free.

What is the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS 2)?
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS 2) is a five-year, multi-center, randomized trial designed to assess the effects of oral supplementation of macular xanthophyll (10 mg. Lutein and 2 mg. dietary Zeaxanthin) and/or long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, 350 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and 650 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) daily on the progression to advanced age-related age related eye health issues (AMD) in patients at high risk for developing advanced AMD. An additional goal of the study was to assess whether forms of the AREDS nutritional supplement with reduced zinc and/or no beta-carotene work as well as the original supplement in reducing the risk of progression to advanced AMD.

What types of patients were studied in AREDS 2?
4,203 patients with intermediate to advance Age Related age related eye health issues (AMD) were enrolled in the study. Subjects were 50 to 85 years of age and the mean age was 74.

When were the AREDS 2 study results released?
The AREDS 2 study results were presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) annual meeting on May 5, 2013 by AREDS 2 principle investigator and author on both publications, Emily Y. Chew, MD. Dr. Chew is the deputy clinical director at the National Eye Institute (NEI).

Where can I access AREDS 2 study results?
The initial results have been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and JAMA Ophthalmology and can be accessed online at: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1684847.

What do results of the AREDS 2 study say about Lutein and Zeaxanthin?
The results of AREDS 2 which suggested adding 10 mg Lutein and 2 mg Zeaxanthin and eliminating beta-carotene resulted in:
1. 18% reduction in progression to advanced AMD without Beta Carotene compared to the AREDS with Beta Carotene
2. The reduction in progression to advanced AMD is even greater (26%) in study subjects with the lowest intake of Lutein and Zeaxanthin in their diet, which is more representative of the general U.S. population where the dietary intake of Lutein and Zeaxanthin is typically less than 1 mg per day. The AREDS 2 results reaffirm previous research studies that high dietary intake of Lutein and Zeaxanthin reduces the risk of AMD.

What results were achieved in the AREDS 2 clinical trial regarding progression to advanced AMD?
The AREDS 1 formula plus Lutein & Zeaxanthin vs. AREDS 1 & beta-carotene:
-18% reduction in the progression to advanced AMD
-22% reduction in the risk of progression to neovascular AMD
AREDS formula along with Lutein + Zeaxanthin vs. AREDS formula with no Lutein + Zeaxanthin:
-10% additional reduction in the risk of progression to advanced AMD
-11% reduction in the risk of progression to neovascular AMD
-26% reduction to advanced AMD in the lowest quintile – the group with the lowest dietary intake of Lutein and Zeaxanthin, which is more representative of the general population

What were the cataract outcomes in the AREDS 2 Study?
Results published in JAMA Ophthalmology evaluated the effects of Lutein + Zeaxanthin on progression to cataract surgery, development of any cataract, or development of severe cataract. The results showed that in subjects in the lowest quintile of dietary Lutein and Zeaxanthin, 30% experienced reduction in cataract development and a 36% reduction in severe cataract development.

Were the subjects in the original AREDS study the same as AREDS 2?
The subjects in the original AREDS study included individuals with all stages of AMD. The subjects in AREDS 2 were at a more advanced stage of the disease and on average 5 years older (average age 74) than the participants in AREDS 1 (average age 69). The authors note that these differences could impact the ability to detect a more significant reduction in the progression to advanced AMD.

When were the original AREDS results released?
2001

What is Zeaxanthin and How is it Pronounced?
Zeaxanthin (zee-uh-zan-thin) is a protective pigment in the Fovea and along with Lutein largely makes-up the Macular Pigment, which functions like internal sunglasses. It protects the eyes from harmful blue light-induced oxidative stress.

Why is Zeaxanthin and Lutein important?
Many studies have suggested that low macular pigment is associated with a higher risk for age related eye health issues and that it can be modified via supplementation. The macula contains both lutein and Zeaxanthin and the eye preferentially accumulates Zeaxanthin in the center of the macula where the highest density of visual cells reside. Supplementing with lutein will increase macular pigment; however, the most crucial area of the macula may have deficient protection without Zeaxanthin and recent science demonstrates unique differences between the two carotenoids. Most recently, carotenoids have also been found in the lens, skin, lungs, and brain.

How do Zeaxanthin and Lutein differ? Are there benefits to taking both?
Zeaxanthin and lutein are molecularly similar however they each orient themselves differently in the cell with Zeaxanthin having two ends reactive for antioxidant activity, and lutein only one. The deposition of these antioxidants in the eye varies as Zeaxanthin is in higher concentration in the cone rich center of the macula and lutein is in higher concentration in the peripheral area of the macula. The eye preferentially deposits Zeaxanthin in the fovea, suggesting a distinct and different role for each.

What other benefits are associated with lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation?
The benefits of lutein and zeaxanthin do not just apply to those suffering from or at risk of Age-related age related eye health issues (AMD) or other eye conditions. Healthy eyes and enhanced visual performance are things we can all benefit from. Over 60 trials published in peer-reviewed journals have been completed in humans using FloraGLO Lutein. Published human clinical trials have shown that supplementation with FloraGLO:
-Improves visual performance
-Increases levels of serum lutein
-Increases macular pigment optical density (MPOD)
Glare Recovery. Glare from intense light is an issue that affects all of us in a variety of everyday circumstances. Research shows that daily supplementation with 10 mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin and the resulting higher MPOD levels can help increase tolerance to the intensity of glaring light as well as significantly improve photostress recovery time, effectively giving drivers more driving room to stop.
Contrast Sensitivity. The ability to clearly distinguish an object from other objects and its background is known as contrast sensitivity. Dense macular pigment helps to define shapes that aren’t clearly outlined, such as objects in shadows, light colored objects against a bright sky and cars or pedestrians at night. Enhanced contrast sensitivity also improves visual acuity in low-light conditions, allowing us to see finer and sharper details in dim light. Increased MPOD has demonstrated improvement in contrast sensitivity.
Filtering Damaging Blue Light. Lutein and zeaxanthin act like internal sunglasses to filter out blue light, the most damaging spectrum of visible light. The denser these nutrients make the macular pigment, the better it can function to protect the eye from blue light damage.
Visual Processing Speed. The retina is an extension of our brain formed during prenatal development and is connected to the brain by the optic nerve. Research supports that denser macular pigment in the back of the eye allows the neural signals from the retina to the brain to happen more quickly, resulting in faster reaction times. Consumption of the recommended daily amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin increases MPOD, which in turn is associated with faster visual processing speed.

Can we get Zeaxanthin and Lutein from our diet?
Yes. Lutein is found in mostly green leafy vegetables like kale, spinach, collard greens, etc. Zeaxanthin is available from a few dietary sources (orange paprika peppers, goji berries, but it is much more difficult to find high sources in our diet. That is why supplementation is so often necessary.

Why is Zeaxanthin important?
The macula contains both lutein and Zeaxanthin and the eye preferentially accumulates Zeaxanthin in the center of the macula where the highest density of visual cells reside. Supplementing with lutein will increase macular pigment; however, the most crucial area of the macula may have deficient protection without Zeaxanthin and recent science demonstrates unique differences between the two carotenoids.

What is the maximum dose of Zeaxanthin a person can safely consume per day?
Although the safety of much higher daily doses has been documented, ZeaVision only recommends the dosage listed on the supplement fact panel. The Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), the scientific advisory body to the Codex Alimentarius Commission, has set the acceptable daily intake for the antioxidant ingredients, alone or in combination, at up to 2mg per kilogram of body weight. This means for a 160lb./72.6 kg person, approximately 145mg of lutein/Zeaxanthin would be considered safe.

What Zeaxanthin and lutein source does ZeaVision utilize in EyePromise supplements?
Both carotenoids provided in EyePromise are derived from natural sources. The Lutein utilized in EyePromise is derived from marigolds and the Zeaxanthin is derived from red paprika peppers.

How do Zeaxanthin and Lutein differ? Are there benefits to taking both?
Zeaxanthin and lutein are molecularly similar however they each orient themselves differently in the cell with Zeaxanthin having two ends reactive for antioxidant activity, and lutein only one. The deposition of these antioxidants in the eye varies as Zeaxanthin is in higher concentration in the cone rich center of the macula and lutein is in higher concentration in the peripheral area of the macula. The eye preferentially deposits Zeaxanthin in the fovea, suggesting a distinct and different role for each.

What is the difference between Meso-zeaxanthin and Zeaxanthin?
Meso-zeaxanthin is a stereoisomeric form that is ONLY found in the macula of the eye. It is not found in the blood stream, other organs, or food supply. Human safety data on meso-zeaxanthin has not been submitted to the FDA. Meso-zeaxanthin is not in the food chain. Some indicate meso-zeaxanthin is found in the skin of an Asian fish, or in the carapace (shell) of a crustacean, but not in the food supply. Since human safety studies have not been conducted, long term effects of ingesting meso-zeaxanthin are unknown. Furthermore, marketed meso-zeaxanthin is synthesized by a harsh chemical treatment of lutein, thus meso-zeaxanthin is synthetic.

Can a daily multivitamin or diet alone provide the same level of nutrients as EyePromise AREDS 2 Plus Zinc-Free?
No, two of EyePromise AREDS 2 Plus Zinc-Free’s most critical ingredients, Zeaxanthin and Lutein, are not found in most multi-vitamins and scarce in the average American diet. To put this into perspective, you would need to eat over 20 ears of corn per day to get the same level of zeaxanthin found in 1 serving of EyePromise AREDS 2 Plus Zinc-Free.

What are Omega-3 fatty acids?
Omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids. We need them for our bodies to work normally. Because essential fatty acids (ALA, DHA, and EPA) are not made in the body, or are inefficiently converted from ALA to EPA and DHA, we need to get them from our diet.

Are all Omega-3s the same?
No, not all Omega-3s are the same. In order to get the most benefit from the Omega-3 fish oils, the supplement you take must have high a high percentage of DHA and EPA – DHA is rich in the brain and retina where deficiency can result in decreased vision.

Why does the amount of Omega-3 fatty acids not equal the total amount of fish oil?
All fish oil contains both fish fat and Omega-3 fatty acids. Most retail stores offer products that have 30% of their total amount of fish oil as Omega-3 fatty acids. This means that the other 70% of this product is fish fat. EyePromise utilizes high-quality fish oil that has 70% of the total amount of fish oil as Omega-3 fatty acids

Why does the amount of EPA and DHA not equal the total amount of Omega-3 fatty acids?
EPA and DHA are 2 specific types of Omega-3s contained in fish oil. Every fish oil product also contains other Omega-3s in addition to EPA and DHA.

What is the difference between the fish oil found in EyePromise AREDS 2 Plus Zinc-Free and the fish oil found in retail store?
The Omega-3s used in most products found on the retail shelf contain a significant amount of the “bad” fat versus the “good” fat. EyePromise AREDS 2 Plus Zinc-Free contains 70% of the highest quality, purified Omega-3s – the good fat versus 30% of the bad. Typically, this is the opposite of what is found on the retail shelf. Additionally, EyePromise AREDS 2 Plus Zinc-Free contains 590mg of EPA and 440mg DHA – much higher than most Omega-3s found on the retail shelf.

Will the fish oil in EyePromise products increase a patient’s cholesterol level?
The amount of fish oil in EyePromise AREDS 2 Plus Zinc-Free should not have a “significant” impact on total cholesterol level. That said, numerous clinical research studies reflect its value in human health and the eye specifically. Actually, fish oil increases the “good” cholesterol (HDL’s) and lowers Triglyceride levels.

What part of the world do your fish oils come from?
The fish oils are harvested from the anchovy fishery of northern Chile.

What kind of fish does your fish oil come from?
The fish oils are sourced from anchovies, sardines, mackerel, white fish, cod, or pollack.

Is there iodine in EyePromise fish oil?
The fish oil utilized in EyePromise brands may contain trace amounts of iodine at minute levels generally undetectable in routine laboratory assays.

What are mixed tocopherols?
Mixed tocopherols are a form of Vitamin E that helps protect fish oil from oxidizing and serves other functions in the body. ZeaVision utilizes natural forms of vitamin E in EyePromise.

Why does Zeavision recommend 40mg as the upper tolerable limit of zinc?
First, the AREDS 2 study has 2 arms that investigated different zinc levels; 25mg in the supplement plus 15mg in the multi for a total of 40mg, and 80mg in the supplement plus 15mg in the multi for a total of 95mg.
The AREDS 2 study showed little to no “outcome” difference in the two study arms, meaning that progression to advanced AMD was the same in both arms. Why the investigators recommended that the AREDS 2 supplement contain 80mg (95mg with the multi) is a mystery to many doctors and researchers. Side effects of high zinc consumption are well established, so ZeaVision decided to set the upper tolerable limit as 40mg.