Zinc is a popular ingredient for vitamins and supplements. It has a multitude of health benefits, including some for the eyes. It was even included in the National Eye Institute’s AREDS 2 study formula, which is now considered to be the gold-standard of age-related eye health care. So, why would EyePromise create an AREDS 2-based formula without zinc? Here are 2 reasons why.

Reason #1: A Genetic Risk

As mentioned, the AREDS 2 study formulation is the gold standard for caring for age-related eye health issues. In this formula, researchers included Vitamins C and E, zeaxanthin, lutein, copper, and zinc. However, there’s a unique genetic makeup that can actually worsen age-related eye health issues with zinc supplementation. An immunity gene called complement factor H (CFH) has been linked with worsening age-related eye health issues when supplementing with zinc. Some eye care professionals include genetic testing in their practices to ensure they are not recommending a vitamin with zinc to a patient with this unique genetic risk factor.

Reason #2: Already Taking Supplements with Zinc

When you’re looking to add another vitamin or supplement to your daily regimen, you need to ensure that you’re not getting too much of a specific ingredient. some people just want to add some eye-healthy nutrients to their daily multi-vitamin, but many if not all multi-vitamins already include zinc. According to the Institute of Medicine’s Food and Nutrition Board, the daily tolerable upper intake level of zinc for healthy adult men and women is 40 mg.

The tolerable upper intake level is the maximum amount of a nutrient that a human can consume without suffering potentially dangerous side effects. This means that, for an adult, taking more than 40 milligrams of zinc daily is too much. Additionally, there are many foods we ingest daily that have adequate zinc amounts, so it’s best not to add too much of the mineral through supplementation.

Why Take EyePromise Macular Health?

EyePromise offers a unique formula to meet the needs of patients who fall into one of the above categories. EyePromise Macular Health is designed to meet the requirements of an AREDS 2-based formula without the potentially harmful zinc. It’s third-party tested by NSF International to ensure that what’s on the label is what’s in every dose, and it’s made with the highest-quality, natural ingredients.

Additionally, it includes extra ingredients that have been clinically demonstrated to improve eye health and reduce the impact of age-related eye health issues.

Dietary Zeaxanthin

As a critical antioxidant found in the center of the retina, zeaxanthin is chosen by the body to protect central vision. Knowing that age-related eye health issues attack and destroy the cells responsible for central vision, EyePromise chose to include 10 mg of this potent ingredient to help better protect those delicate cells.

Omega-3s

Omega-3s have many different health benefits. Supporting heart, brain, and eye health, these fatty acids were also shown to reduce the impact of age-related eye health issues and sustain healthy vision.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a critical nutrient for eye health, and a deficiency in this alphabet vitamin has been linked to increased risk of age-related eye health issues.

It’s never too early to start protecting your vision. Find out if this vitamin is right for you by taking our product selection quiz or scheduling an appointment with your eye doctor.