Doctor Endorsements

This combination of nutrients, found in supplements like Ocuvite and VisiVite, is now widely recommended for people with moderate or severe macular degeneration. Current or former smokers may be better off with VisiVite's Smoker's Formula, which leaves out the beta-carotene (beta-carotene supplements my increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers).

Marvin Moe Bell, M.D., M.P.H.

Physician and Author

We see approximately 120 patients per week with about 15% having or being at risk for macular degeneration. Using the AREDS as our reference we became aware of the importance of nutritional supplements in the prevention of the progression of macular degeneration. This along with various other studies on the importance of vitamins for general eye health prompted us to look for a supplement that fit the needs of our patients. Visivite showed itself to be the only company who took pains to offer the ratio of different vitamins initially determined by AREDS.

Dr. Kendal Piatt, O.D.

Optometrist

At "Island Retina" our mission statement is to provide outstanding retinal care in a warm and supportive environment. I have been practicing for more than 20 years. We love taking care of patients with retinal disease including diabetes, macular degeneration and retinal detachments. Our practice is unique in that we have a surgery center,we are involved in several national research projects as well as our own research, and we have a satelite office in Commack, NY. I do a great deal of lecturing throughout the country as part of my committment to education. We have been recommending Visivite for several years. AREDS formulation vitamins are the mainstay in the treatment of dry AMD which affects about 1.7 million Americans. We find that the VisiVite vitamins fit the needs of our patients. We can recommend different formulations based on the patients' history. The quality is unsurpassed, they are well tolerated which increases patient compliance.

Pamela Weber, M.D.

Ophthalmologist

I've been in practice for 36 years. We see many patients with Macular Degeneration and dry eyes. As a general Ophthalmologist, I see patients with varying Eye problems including cataracts and glaucoma. Based on the AREDS study, a vitamin like Visivite is the only treatment for Macular Degeneration available today.

Martin L Weinhoff, MD

Ophthalmologist

We recommend that all of our patients take the VisiVite AREDS 2 formula vitamins, due to the evidence based nature of the formula (doses are based on the NIH study of macular degeneration).

Marc Lay, OD

Optometrist

East Florida Eye Institute specializes in the treatment of Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma, Diabetic Eye Disease, and Dry Eye Disease. We recommend the use of VisiVite for all of our Macular Degeneration patients.

Ronald E. P. Frenkel, M.D.

Ophthalmologist

Home > Natural vs. Synthetic Vitamin E

Natural vs. Synthetic Vitamin E

Vitamin E is one of the most exciting eye nutrients. It's also one of the most confusing, since vitamin E exists in so many different forms! Experts agree, however, that the best form is d-alpha-tocopherol (natural vitamin E). Where to find vitamin E? Natural vitamin E can be found in the following foods:

It's nearly impossible to get therapeutic levels of vitamin E from diet alone, since foods contain only trace amounts. Supplementation is a better way to get higher levels of vitamin E. But which supplement should you buy? Some consumers automatically choose the cheapest vitamin E supplement. But not all vitamin E is the same. Many cheap supplement manufacturers cut corners by using synthetic vitamin E -- a more affordable form (dl-alpha-tocopheryl) that "does less" than natural vitamin E.

Did you know? Synthetic vitamin E is made from petrochemicals, a.k.a. petroleum. Yuck.

Natural Vitamin E vs. Synthetic Vitamin E
When you consume natural vitamin E -- either from food or from supplements -- you get the superior form that matches what nature intended. Natural vitamin E is recognized by the body and absorbed more fully than its synthetic counterpart. Research has suggested that:

Natural vitamin E is 100% more bioavailable than synthetic vitamin E
Natural vitamin E is twice as effective as synthetic vitamin E
The body retains natural vitamin E in its tissues longer than it retains synthetic vitamin E

Vitamin E for Eye Health
Under the eyes category, vitamin E is a highly-regarded super-nutrient. High vitamin E intake is associated with a 20% reduction in risk of developing AMD. The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) found that a mixed supplement of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, zinc and copper reduced the risk of developing moderate-to-severe vision loss by 25%. Those with moderate to advanced AMD were found to reduce their risk of further vision loss by taking this antioxidant combination.

The AREDS study achieved positive results by using the synthetic form of vitamin E. It begs the question: How much better would the AREDS results have been if the study used the superior natural form of vitamin E?

About Vitamin E Products
When buying a vitamin E supplement, check the label to see if it contains natural or synthetic vitamin E. Here's an easy way to remember the difference:

Natural Vitamin E = d-alpha-tocopherol
Synthetic Vitamin E = dl-alpha-tocopheryl
"dl" = Does Less!

The easiest way to get natural vitamin E: Buy VisiVite. Every VisiVite Macular Degeneration Supplement uses only the best natural vitamin E form: d-alpha-tocopheryl succinate.