Evidence supporting the use of: Trace minerals
For the body system: Eyes

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Trace minerals, such as zinc, selenium, copper, and manganese, play essential roles in maintaining eye health, and their use is supported by scientific evidence. Zinc, in particular, is a crucial cofactor for many enzymes involved in the visual cycle. Notably, the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), sponsored by the National Eye Institute, demonstrated that supplementation with zinc, alongside other antioxidants, can slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in certain individuals. Selenium and copper are also involved in antioxidant defense systems that protect ocular tissues from oxidative stress, which is implicated in cataract formation and retinal degeneration.

While the evidence for some trace minerals is robust (especially zinc), the scientific support is less established for others (like manganese or chromium) with respect to eye health specifically. Nevertheless, deficiencies in these minerals can lead to ocular symptoms—for example, zinc deficiency may result in night blindness or poor adaptation to darkness. Overall, the scientific literature provides a moderate level of support for the use of certain trace minerals in maintaining and supporting eye health, particularly in contexts where deficiencies are present or in populations at risk for degenerative eye conditions.

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