Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin E, particularly in the forms of mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols, has been investigated as a potential supplement for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) due to its role as a fat-soluble antioxidant. Oxidative stress is believed to contribute to retinal damage and the progression of AMD, providing a plausible biological rationale for antioxidant therapy.

The most significant research in this area comes from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) and its follow-up, AREDS2, which evaluated the effects of high-dose antioxidant supplementation (including vitamin E, vitamin C, beta-carotene, zinc, and copper) on AMD progression. These studies found that the combination slowed progression to advanced AMD in individuals at high risk. However, vitamin E was not studied in isolation, and subsequent analyses have not established a clear, independent benefit of vitamin E alone. The AREDS2 formula now omits beta-carotene but retains vitamin E as part of a combination, largely based on the original formulation.

There is limited evidence on the specific effects of tocotrienols or mixed tocopherols (as opposed to alpha-tocopherol, the most common supplement form) for AMD. Some observational studies suggest a potential association between higher dietary vitamin E intake and reduced risk of AMD, but randomized controlled trials have not confirmed a strong, independent effect.

In summary, while vitamin E is included in widely recommended combination supplements for AMD, the scientific justification for its use alone is modest, and its benefit appears most pronounced as part of a multi-antioxidant regimen.

More about Vitamin E (mixied tocopherols and tocotrienols)
More about Macular Degeneration

Other ingredients used for Macular Degeneration

Other health conditions supported by Vitamin E (mixied tocopherols and tocotrienols)

Products containing Vitamin E (mixied tocopherols and tocotrienols)