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VisiVite FAQ's

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How does VisiVite work?
Macular Degeneration treatment was evaluated in the Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), a major study sponsored by the National Eye Institute, one of the Federal government’s National Institutes of Health, and conducted at 11 major medical center research facilities around the country. In that study, ingredients that are identical to those in VisiVite Original Formula were found to slow the progression of macular degeneration in those patients with intermediate or advanced disease. It is believed that the anti-oxidants and Zinc promote the continued health of the retina and tissues surrounding the retina.

Since that ground-breaking study, newer research points to the benefit of high-dose Lutein when taken concomitantly with the large quantities of anti-oxidants from the AREDS study in patients with macular degeneration. The Lutein Antioxidant Supplementation Trial (LAST) was the first study to show visual improvement in patients with dry macular degeneration. And cutting-edge research has now demonstrated that a compound called Zeaxanthin may be just as important as Lutein. All VisiVite i-Defense Formulas contain FloraGLO brand Lutein, the most highly desired natural form of Lutein available. VisiVite i-Defense Gold and Green Formulas also contain ZeaVision brand Zeaxanthin.

How are VisiVite formulas different from other vitamins?
Patients often confuse taking low-dose multiple vitamins, such as Centrum Silver or One-A-Day, as being beneficial in treating their macular degeneration.

The levels of supplement are much higher in VisiVite Formulas than in other vitamin supplements. Additionally, VisiVite contains only those substances that were scientifically proven to promote retinal health.

Can I take other vitamins with VisiVite?
If you are taking individual supplements of Vitamins A, C, or E, it is recommended that you obtain the necessary quantities of those vitamins from the VisiVite alone. If, however, you take a multi-vitamin, such as Centrum, you can continue to take that. In fact, approximately half of the patients in the AREDS study continued to take their multi-vitamins. Importantly, there was no difference in outcome between those patients taking high dose supplements alone compared with those taking high dose supplements combined with their normal multi-vitamin.

Will VisiVite interfere with my other medications?
While it is unlikely that the ingredients found in VisiVite will interfere with your other prescription medications, you should notify your primary physician before taking large-dose supplements.

Why are there multiple VisiVite formulas?
VisiVite Original Formula duplicates the ingredients in the National Eye Institute's Age Related Eye Disease Study. But Lutein was not available at the time of that study, and is found in VisiVite i-Defense Yellow, Red, Gold and Green Formulas. Beta-carotene was shown in two large studies to increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers. Therefore, VisiVite i-Defense Red and Green Formulas contain no Beta-carotene for people who have habitually smoked within the past 20 years.. Finally, only VisiVite Gold and Green Formulas contain additional Zeaxanthin.

How should VisiVite be taken?
All VisiVite Formulas are taken as one capsule twice daily. It is important to continue to take VisiVite continuously. The AREDS study required a follow-up of 6 years to demonstrate clinical efficacy.

What is the policy of the FDA with respect to VisiVite?
VisiVite Formulas are considered vitamin supplements, and not drugs, and therefore cannot claim clinical effectiveness in treating a particular disease.

Where Can I Get More Information?

     Macular Degeneration Vitamins
     National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health
     Vitamin Science, Inc

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National Eye Institute

NEI, of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, conducts and supports vision research. Information on eye diseases and disorders, press releases, clinical studies, grants and funding opportunities for researchers, an image and video catalog, and awareness activities to encourage early detection and treatment of eye diseases to prevent visual impairment.

National Institutes of Health

Official website of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH is one of the world's foremost medical research centers. An agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the NIH is the Federal focal point for health research. The NIH website offers health information for the public as well as medical professionals. There's extensive information on funding opportunities and links to the many Institutes and Centers that make-up NIH such as the National Cancer Institute and the National Library of Medicine.

AREDS article in Archives of Ophthalmology

Scientists found that people at high risk of developing advanced stages of AMD, a leading cause of vision loss, lowered their risk by about 25 percent when treated with a high-dose combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and zinc. In the same high risk group -- which includes people with intermediate AMD, or advanced AMD in one eye but not the other eye -- the nutrients reduced the risk of vision loss caused by advanced AMD by about 19 percent. For those study participants who had either no AMD or early AMD, the nutrients did not provide an apparent benefit. The clinical trial -- called the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) -- was sponsored by the National Eye Institute (NEI), one of the Federal government's National Institutes of Health.

Macular Degeneration Facts

Macular Degeneration, an acquired retinal disease that affects millions of elderly adults, can cause loss of the ability to see details, causing blurry vision and possibly legal blindness. Despite the social costs that include depression and loss of interest in activities, and the societal health costs including retina eye surgery, many people are unaware that new research has proven that vitamin supplements for macular degeneration can halt the progress of this disease, and in some cases, actually improve vision.

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