A lot of people have asked me which supplements I take for my eyes. While I’m no expert, I’ve pieced together a regime based on recommendations from both Dr. Andy Rosenfarb and Dr. Damon Miller that seems to be a good mix.
Here’s the list:
- TUDCA – A liver detoxifier believed to prevent death of photoreceptor cells. For more info, CLICK HERE
- Lutein – I discovered during a recent allergy test that I’m moderately allergic to Lutein. But so far, I can’t find Zeaxanthin as a stand-alone supplemen.
- Zeaxanthin
- Astaxanthin
- Bilberry
- Vitamin D3 – I live in Seattle, so Vitamin D is a must for me. But I’ve heard that Vitamin D deficiency is a widespread problem — even in sunny climates.
- DHA/Omega 3
Twice a day, I also drink a concoction of herbs mixed up by Rosey, my Seattle-based acupuncturist who has been treating patients (first in China, then US) since the mid-seventies. She uses the base formula Dr. Rosenfarb provided in his book, Ophthalmology in Chinese Medicine, and then bolsters it with her own formula—sometimes to drive more direct support to my eyes, sometimes to nourish my blood.
I think all of these things are helping to protect my eyes from further degeneration. But what I’ve learned is that none of these supplements do much good if I spend my days downing soda and eating highly processed foods. (I used to live on Diet Dr. Pepper, Hostess Cupcakes, McDonalds’ Big Macs and 7-Eleven big dogs so I feel the pain of anyone trying to break the addiction).
My mornings now ALWAYS start with a glass of filtered water, followed by a glass of freshly made green juice consisting of a big bunch of kale, three celery stocks and a cucumber (all organic). And I’m doing my best to avoid processed foods, limit my wheat and meat intake, and eat healthy.
I never thought I’d get here, but I now spend my days searching the internet for plant-based recipes and soaking dried beans rather than purchasing them in cans. My husband and I recently switched to Whole Foods for our grocery store, and our grocery cart is now regularly packed with fresh vegetables and fruits, rather than frozen, boxed or canned goods. My goal is to get rid of the inflammation in my body and increase circulation — two keys for good eye health. But a side benefit from all of this is that I feel GREAT.
Ingrid,
Have I mentioned to you before, or have you looked at Alkaline water? The theory is that the more alkaline your body is, the more resistant to diseases it is. The more acidic, the less healthy your body.
You can even buy PH paper to measure your body’s alkalinity.
Not sure how much research is out there about this, but as we know, the research is often behind the reality of alternative medicine.
Jared
Interesting. I will definitely look into it. Thanks for the tip, Jared.
Ingrid, Swanson Vitamins online carries stand-alone Zeaxanthin. Here’s the link.
https://www.swansonvitamins.com
Pat Hyland
Thanks, Pat! I really appreciate that. Best – Ingrid
Ingrid, I was recently diagnosed with macular degeneration. I know it’s different from your eye disease, but it’s a loss of vision and quite a shock for me when I first found out. I’m making adjustments and taking some of the same supplements as you, but also vitamins C and E. Reading and being on the computer is difficult for me now. I was already following your blog, now Il’m even more interested in it! Thank you for sharing and being one of my role models while I’m navigating these changes. Love, Cindy
Cindy,
I’m sorry to hear this. If I were you I would contact Dr. Damon Miller ASAP (www.bettereyehealth.com) He’s got a great program that includes micro-current stimulation and color lamp therapy you administer at home and it seems to be particularly beneficial for people with macular degeneration. Seriously..it’s worth getting in touch with him. Sending a hug your way. xo – Ingrid
Thank you so much, Ingrid. I will get in touch with him. Hugs, Cindy
I’m glad that you can feel the benefits of your diet and supplements even on your general health. It really does sound like an improvement over your old ways of eating. All my respect. As always, best wishes, too.
It sounds like you have an amazing diet right now. Way to be disciplined and I’m glad you’re feeling great! (It’s crazy that you used to have that diet because your figure is fantastic!)
I’m trying, Angie. But I definitely have my days where I go off track. It’s funny – when I used to eat the old way, i always counted calories (enter diet sodas). I just never thought about the nutritional value in anything I was eating. it’s crazy.
Hi,
I was told that vitamin a palmitate 15,000 iu + lutein 12
and fish 3 times a week/ omega 3 should be taken. have you heard about that regime?
I will definitely look into the Tudca.
thanks
I have heard of that regime. I was on Vitamin A for awhile but then switched to Lutein as it’s replacement because Lutein is what Dr. Miller uses. I do take the Omega 2 and eat salmon. There is so much differing information out there it’s hard sometimes to know which way to go.
Hi Ingrid,
I’m also being treated by Dr. Rosenfarb (for a prolonged injury from looking at the sun.) It was amazing hearing the stories of people with RP and AMD being treated and getting substantial recovery all around me in just days or weeks or treatment. I hope you have had some good progress. I can relate to the pain and emotional hardship from losing substantial aspects of your vision with tenuous prospects of recovery.
I wanted to mention you can get zeaxanthin from EyePromise, as well as other interesting blends, with a “guarantee.”
http://www.eyepromise.com/all-natural-eye-vitamins/amd/eyepromise-zeaxanthin/
I see you have another recommendation already but here’s an option for you.
Best of wishes to you!
Thanks for your note and the info about EyePromise. I’ll check them out now. I’m heading to Dr. Rosenfarb for my first “In person” treatment starting Dec. 2nd. I’m looking forward to it and wishing you good recovery wit your eyesight issues. Best, Ingrid
Thank you, Walker. I’m going to add that link to my resource guide as well. I so appreciate all the information sharing. We can beat this!!! Best, Ingrid
Hi,p from the Philippines. I’m very new here as I just was diagnosed as having rp at 41, even if I’ve been having night blindness and poor peripheral vision years before that, thinking it was my cataracts that was causing them.
So many of the supplements you mentioned Re unavailable in stores, although some private online stores sell imported ones like Swanson. May I ask some things?
1. I’m taking retinyl palmitate at 10,000IU I’m afraid to reach the 15,000IU recommended for fear of harming my liver, but I’ve read studies that says it doesn’t cause liver harm unless you take an excess of 25,000iu. What’s your take on this?
2.Which one is better? Lutein or zeaxanthin?
3. My retinal ophthalmologist discouraged vitamin a but gave me a prescription for it. But encouraged me to take VALPROIC ACID as it is proven to STOP(?)the progression. But another ophthalmologist said to take Alpha-lipoic acid instead of valproic acid.
4. My retinal ophthalmologist is a proponent of autologous stem cell therapy but discouraged me because there were only 2% proof that it is successful. It costs millions in pesos here. I can’t afford it, have you considered it?
5. Have you heard of LAMININE? Although there’s no testimonial about RP, I’m inclined to believe the ‘stimulating the body’s stemcells’ and fibroblast growth factor that repairs and regenerates cells in areas where they are needed’ claim. I want to try it as well as the 4Life Transfer Factor, which basically has the same principle of repair and regeneration.
It’s ironic that I’m married to a family of ophthalmologists, (4 of them) none of them retinal specialists though hahaha.
I’m so confused now, I need someone to guide me through with all the supplements I’ve been buying. I haven’t read through your blogs but just excited to find it because it’s so positive to read.
Melody,
Thanks for much for connecting. I know how scary it is to be diagnosed with this — and how confusing it all is. I don’t think I”m the best person to answer your questions because it’s such an individual thing. I highly recommend that you contact Dr. Andy Rosenfarb at Acupuncture Health in Westfield, New Jersey. He is so knowledgeable in RP and can get you on the right track. I would be leery of Valproic Acid because there are lots of side effects with it. But again – talk with Dr. Rosenfarb. I’m getting treatment from him now. He’s a super good guy and knows more about this eye disease and how to treat it than anyone I’ve encountered.
Here’s Dr. Rosenfarb’s website: http://www.acupuncturehealth.net
And hang in there. We can beat this.
Best,
Ingrid