Nutrient contents of common fruits are expressed per 100 grams

Table 3. Dosages of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) type formulas in comparison to common fruit items

After categorizing the subjects according to their macular status (Table 4), they were then monitored serially with fundus photographs. Results of the AREDS were first released in 2001. It showed a 25% risk reduction in progression to advanced AMD, for category 3 and 4 subjects only. For other subjects, i.e. those under category 1 and 2, results were not statistically significant. In the US, 80% of those over 70 years of age fall under either category 1 or 2 28. Hence, the protection offered by the AREDS formula may not be applicable to all. Therefore, it was only recommended to high-risk individuals (those under category 3 or 4).

Risk associated with regular intake of the AREDS formula was of particular concern, mainly because it was meant for long-term use. In particular, the risk of regular intake of such a high level of vitamins and minerals was unknown. Potentially, vitamin A (in the form of

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) was a clinical trial sponsored by the National Eye Institute 19. This was to date the largest prospective randomized controlled trial to investigate the effect of an active supplement formula on the risk of development of AMD. The dosages of the supplements were at a high-than-normal level, because it was considered a form of active treatment, instead of a simple supplement pill. There were a total of 3,640 subjects, being monitored for an average of 6.3 years. Each subject was given either the AREDS formula, or placebo, to be taken on a twice-daily basis. Main components of the AREDS formula are vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc. These were chosen because of their anti-oxidative abilities 20-25. When compared with the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) issued by the Institute of Medicine, US National Academy, the dosage of ingredients in the AREDS formula was at a much higher level 26. For instance, the dosage of vitamin C in the AREDS formula was 500 mg/day, while that of the DRI was only 90mg per day. As far as vitamin C was concerned, one has to take at least 7 to 8 oranges per day, just to match up with what is provided by the AREDS pill 27. A comparison of the dosage in AREDS

Nutrients Unit AREDS DRI\* Apple# Orange# Banana# Blueberry#

Vitamin E mg 400 15 0.18 0.1 0.1 0.23 Zinc mg 80 11 0.04 0.07 0.15 0.1 Copper mg 2 0.9 0.027 0.045 0.078 0.12

Table 3. Dosages of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) type formulas in

Unit (IU) 5000 3000 54 225 64 22

(mg) 500 90 4.6 53.2 8.7 0.7

(μg) None No data \*\* 29 129 22 33

After categorizing the subjects according to their macular status (Table 4), they were then monitored serially with fundus photographs. Results of the AREDS were first released in 2001. It showed a 25% risk reduction in progression to advanced AMD, for category 3 and 4 subjects only. For other subjects, i.e. those under category 1 and 2, results were not statistically significant. In the US, 80% of those over 70 years of age fall under either category 1 or 2 28. Hence, the protection offered by the AREDS formula may not be applicable to all. Therefore, it was only recommended to high-risk individuals (those under

Risk associated with regular intake of the AREDS formula was of particular concern, mainly because it was meant for long-term use. In particular, the risk of regular intake of such a high level of vitamins and minerals was unknown. Potentially, vitamin A (in the form of

**3.1 AREDS and AREDS-type formulation** 

formulation with common fruits is given in Table 3.

\* Dietary Reference Intakes from the Institute of Medicine

\*\* 2.0-2.3 mg/day for men and 1.7-2.0 mg/day for women in United States
