Retinopathy (Holistic)
About This Condition
- Load up on antioxidants
Under a healthcare provider’s supervision take 500 mcg of selenium, 1,800 IU of vitamin E, 10,000 IU of vitamin A, and 1,000 mg of vitamin C daily to combat free radicals associated with diabetic retinopathy
- Get to know proanthocyanidins
Slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy by taking a daily supplement containing 150 mg of these powerful plant nutrients
- Bring home the bilberry
Strengthen blood vessels in the eye and improve vision with this herbal remedy; take 320 mg a day of an extract standardized for 25% anthocyanosides
- Say good-bye to smoking
Kick the habit to lower the risk of diabetic retinopathy
About This Condition
The term retinopathy indicates damage to the retina at the back of the eye. Several conditions, such as type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure, can lead to the development of retinopathy.
Symptoms
Retinopathy often has no early warning signs. If retinopathy progresses, partial or total blindness may result.
Healthy Lifestyle Tips
In a study of people with diabetes, cigarette smoking was found to be a risk factor for the development of retinopathy.1 In a study of people with type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes, those who maintained their blood sugar levels close to the normal range had less severe retinopathy, compared with those whose blood sugar levels were higher.2 Tighter control of blood-sugar levels can be achieved with a medically supervised program of diet, exercise, and, when appropriate, medication.
The right diet is the key to managing many diseases and to improving general quality of life. For this condition, scientific research has found benefit in the following healthy eating tips.
| Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|
| Avoid pure fructose | Some doctors recommend avoiding foods that contain added fructose or high-fructose corn syrup. Fructose that occurs naturally in fruit is less likely to be harmful, though its safety has not been established. Animal studies suggest that dietary fructose may contribute to the development of retinopathy. Although such an association has not been demonstrated in humans, some doctors advise their diabetic patients to avoid foods containing added fructose or high-fructose corn syrup. Fructose that occurs naturally in fruit has not been found to be harmful. |
Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by some in the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.
For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.
3 StarsReliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
2 StarsContradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
1 StarFor an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.
| Supplement | Why |
|---|---|
3 Stars Pine Bark Extract (Pycnogenol) 120 to 150 mg per day | Preliminary and double blind studies have shown that daily supplementation with Pycnogenol may slow the progression of retinopathy and improve vision. Preliminary and double blind studies have shown that Pycnogenol slows the progression of retinopathy and improves vision when given in typical amounts of 120 to 150 mg per day. |
2 Stars Bilberry 360 to 600 mg daily of an extract standardized for 25% anthocyanosides | Bilberry extract has been shown to strengthen blood vessels in the eye and improve vision in people with diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy. Bilberry extracts standardized to contain 25% anthocyanosides have been suggested as a treatment for people with early-stage diabetic or hypertensive retinopathy. In a small preliminary trial, people with various types of retinopathy, including diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration, were given 600 mg of bilberry extract per day for one month. While researchers found that the tendency to hemorrhage in the eye was reduced and that blood vessels were strengthened, there were no reports of improved vision. A small double-blind trial found that 160 mg of bilberry extract taken twice per day for one month led to similar improvements in blood-vessel health in the eye and slightly improved vision in people with diabetic and/or hypertensive retinopathy. Larger and longer clinical trials are needed to establish the effectiveness of bilberry for treating retinopathies. |
2 Stars Proanthocyanidins 150 mg daily | Proanthocyanidins, a group of flavonoids found in pine bark, grape seed, and other plant sources, may help slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy. Proanthocyanidins (OPCs), a group of flavonoids found in pine bark, grape seed, and other plant sources have been reported in preliminary French trials to help limit the progression of retinopathy. In one controlled trial, 60% of people with diabetes taking 150 mg per day of OPCs from grape seed extract had no progression of retinopathy compared to 47% of those taking a placebo. |
2 Stars Vitamin E (Retrolental Fibroplasia) Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner | Large amounts of vitamin E have been shown to reduce the incidence of severe retinopathy in premature infants. Free radicals have been implicated in the development and progression of several forms of retinopathy. Retrolental fibroplasia, a retinopathy that occurs in some premature infants who have been exposed to high levels of oxygen, is an example of free radical-induced damage to the retina. In an analysis of the best published trials, large amounts of vitamin E were found to reduce the incidence of severe retinopathy in premature infants by over 50%. Some of the evidence supporting the use of vitamin E in the prevention of retrolental fibroplasia comes from trials that have used 100 IU of vitamin E per 2.2 pounds of body weight in the form of oral supplementation. Use of large amounts of vitamin E in the prevention of retrolental fibroplasia requires the supervision of a pediatrician. Vitamin E has also been found to prevent retinopathy in people with a rare genetic disease known as abetalipoproteinemia. People with this disorder lack a protein that transports fat-soluble nutrients, and can therefore develop deficiencies of vitamin E and other nutrients. In one trial, vitamin E failed to improve vision in people with diabetic retinopathy, although in a double-blind trial, people with type 1 diabetes given very high amounts of vitamin E were reported to show a normalization of blood flow to the retina. This finding has made researchers hopeful that vitamin E might help prevent diabetic retinopathy. However, no long-term trials have yet been conducted with vitamin E in the actual prevention of diabetic retinopathy. Because oxidation damage is believed to play a role in the development of retinopathy, antioxidant nutrients might be protective. One doctor has administered a daily regimen of 500 mcg selenium, 800 IU vitamin E, 10,000 IU vitamin A, and 1,000 mg vitamin C for several years to 20 people with diabetic retinopathy. During that time, 19 of the 20 people showed either improvement or no progression of their retinopathy. People who wish to supplement with more than 250 mcg of selenium per day should consult a healthcare practitioner. |
1 Star Flavonoids Refer to label instructions | Quercetin has been shown to inhibit aldose reductase, an enzyme that appears to contribute worsen diabetic retinopathy. Another flavonoid, rutin, may also improve retinopathy. Quercetin (a flavonoid) has been shown to inhibit the enzyme, aldose reductase. This enzyme appears to contribute to worsening of diabetic retinopathy. However, because the absorption of quercetin is limited, it is questionable whether supplementing with quercetin can produce the tissue levels that are needed to inhibit aldose reductase. Although human studies have not been done using quercetin to treat retinopathy, some doctors prescribe 400 mg of quercetin three times per day. Another flavonoid, rutin, has been used with success to treat retinopathy in preliminary research. |
1 Star Ginkgo Refer to label instructions | Using a standardized extract of ginkgo has been reported to improve visual function in people with mild diabetic retinopathy. The use of 160 mg per day of a standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba for six months has been reported in a small double-blind trial to improve impaired visual function in people with mild diabetic retinopathy. |
1 Star Magnesium Refer to label instructions | Low magnesium levels have been found to be a risk factor for retinopathy in white people with diabetes. Supplementing with magnesium may improve blood levels of the mineral. |
1 Star Vinpocetine Refer to label instructions | Preliminary studies have reported improved vision in people with various diseases of the retina who took vinpocetine. Preliminary studies have reported improved vision in people with various diseases of the retina who took 45 mg per day of vinpocetine. |
1 Star Vitamin B12 Refer to label instructions | In one study, adding vitamin B12 to the insulin injections of children with diabetic retinopathy helped relieve symptoms. One study investigated the effect of adding 100 mcg per day of vitamin B12 to the insulin injections of 15 children with diabetic retinopathy. After one year, signs of retinopathy disappeared in 7 of 15 cases; after two years, 8 of 15 were free of retinopathy. Adults with diabetic retinopathy did not benefit from vitamin B12 injections. Consultation with a physician is necessary before adding injectable vitamin B12 to insulin. |
1 Star Vitamin E Refer to label instructions | Vitamin E has been found to prevent retinopathy in people with a rare genetic disease known as abetalipoproteinemia. Free radicals have been implicated in the development and progression of several forms of retinopathy. Retrolental fibroplasia, a retinopathy that occurs in some premature infants who have been exposed to high levels of oxygen, is an example of free radical-induced damage to the retina. In an analysis of the best published trials, large amounts of vitamin E were found to reduce the incidence of severe retinopathy in premature infants by over 50%. Some of the evidence supporting the use of vitamin E in the prevention of retrolental fibroplasia comes from trials that have used 100 IU of vitamin E per 2.2 pounds of body weight in the form of oral supplementation. Use of large amounts of vitamin E in the prevention of retrolental fibroplasia requires the supervision of a pediatrician. Vitamin E has also been found to prevent retinopathy in people with a rare genetic disease known as abetalipoproteinemia. People with this disorder lack a protein that transports fat-soluble nutrients, and can therefore develop deficiencies of vitamin E and other nutrients. In one trial, vitamin E failed to improve vision in people with diabetic retinopathy, although in a double-blind trial, people with type 1 diabetes given very high amounts of vitamin E were reported to show a normalization of blood flow to the retina. This finding has made researchers hopeful that vitamin E might help prevent diabetic retinopathy. However, no long-term trials have yet been conducted with vitamin E in the actual prevention of diabetic retinopathy. Because oxidation damage is believed to play a role in the development of retinopathy, antioxidant nutrients might be protective. One doctor has administered a daily regimen of 500 mcg selenium, 800 IU vitamin E, 10,000 IU vitamin A, and 1,000 mg vitamin C for several years to 20 people with diabetic retinopathy. During that time, 19 of the 20 people showed either improvement or no progression of their retinopathy. People who wish to supplement with more than 250 mcg of selenium per day should consult a healthcare practitioner. |
1. Paetkau ME, Boyd TAS, Winship B, Grace M. Cigarette smoking and diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes 1977;26:46-9.
2. McCance DR, Hadden DR, Atkinson AB, et al. Long-term glycaemic control and diabetic retinopathy. Lancet 1989;2:824-8.
Last Review: 06-01-2015
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