Vitamin A (5,000 IU)
MacularProtect Plus provides 100% of the recommended Daily Value of vitamin A; half as pre-formed retinyl palmitate and half as beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A only as required by the body.

Vitamin A as Retinyl Palmitate (50%; 2,500 IU)
Vitamin A (also known as pre-formed A or retinyl palmitate) is essential for proper eye health. It protects night vision and is vital for the health of the eye’s cornea. It also works with zinc to support the proper function of various eye structures. vitamin A serves an important role in interactions with zinc and the amino acid taurine within the photoreceptors of the retina.

Vitamin A as Beta-Carotene (50%; 2,500 IU)
Beta-carotene functions primarily as an antioxidant and is converted to itamin A only as needed by the body. MacularProtect Plus contains one-tenth the level of beta-carotene administered to AREDS participants. High doses of beta-carotene are linked to increased health risks in smokers; therefore, levels of supplemental beta-carotene similar to the amount utilized in AREDS may not be advisable for current or recent former smokers. It is important to note that since AREDS began in 1991, new science has emerged suggesting that lutein and zeaxanthin are the carotenoid antioxidants more positively associated with macular health.

Vitamin C (1,000 mg)
Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant that is concentrated in ocular tissues where it inactivates free radicals. Free radicals are the highly reactive compounds produced through the body’s use of oxygen, and generated by outside sources such as UV light. As an integral component of the body’s antioxidant defenses, vitamin C also aids in the recycling of other antioxidants such as vitamin E. Evidence indicates that the requirements for both vitamin C and E are higher in those who smoke. MacularProtect Plus supplies the form and level of vitamin C administered in the AREDS clinical trial, plus an additional 500 mg.

Vitamin E (400 IU)
Fat soluble vitamin E is the major chain-breaking antioxidant present in retinal and macular membranes. As a first line of defense against fatty acid peroxidation, vitamin E helps protect cell membranes against free radical attack. MacularProtect Plus provides the natural source rather than synthetic vitamin E, as studies demonstrate that this form offers superior bioavailability and is better retained in tissues. It also delivers broad spectrum vitamin E from alpha to gamma tocopherol, that together play a health-protective role. MacularProtect Plus includes 400 IU of vitamin E, the level used in AREDS .

Zinc (80 mg)
Zinc is an essential mineral that is selectively concentrated in the eye. It is found in the retina and choroid, ciliary body, iris, optic nerve, sclera, cornea and lens. Within these ocular structures zinc is believed to interact with vitamin A and taurine to modify photoreceptor membranes, to help regulate the light-rhodopsin reaction, to influence nerve transmission and to serve as an antioxidant. MacularProtect Plus provides 80 mg of zinc, the form and level administered in AREDS .

Lutein, FloraGLO^® (15 mg) and Zeaxanthin (1 mg)
Lutein and zeaxanthin are two similarly-structured carotenoids found in green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale and mustard greens. These carotenoids make up the macular pigment of the retina, the tissue with the highest concentration of lutein and zeaxanthin in the body. As part of the macular pigment, lutein and zeaxanthin filter blue (visible) light that causes photo-oxidative stress. Population health studies have noted that macular pigment density is positively associated with age-related macular health. Several intervention studies also indicate that consumption of these carotenoids from foods or supplements can favorably modify the density of macular pigment.

The amount of lutein supplied by MacularProtect Plus is within the range of lutein intake (approximately 10-20 mg) found in studies to increase macular pigment density on average by about 18-19%, although the response appears to vary among individuals. MacularProtect Plus provides FloraGLO® lutein, a premium source with proven bioavailability. The ratio of zeaxanthin to lutein within this formula reflects the levels naturally present in the diet.

Selenium (70 mcg)
Selenium is an essential mineral required for the proper function of glutathione peroxidase, an antioxidant enzyme found in the eye’s lens and localized in photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelial cells. MacularProtect Plus delivers Selenium as selenomethionine, a bioavailable source. Selenium is included in MacularProtect Plus at 100% of the recommended Daily Value.

Copper (2 mg)
Copper is a mineral that is necessary for normal development of connective tissue, nerve sheaths, skin pigment and for the proper utilization of iron. Since high levels of zinc compete with copper for absorption, copper is included in MacularProtect Plus to help ensure an adequate level of this essential mineral in the body. MacularProtect Plus features 2 mg of copper oxide, the form and level administered in the AREDS clinical trial.