Why Less Zinc

Zinc is one of the most important components of the AREDS 2 formula. Zinc has many functions in the body and the retina needs a lot of Zinc to function normally. The Zinc content of the retina is high. We know that Zinc supplementation, in association with the other AREDS 2 components can help prevent progression of intermediate or advanced dry AMD.

Zinc is an element that is found in our body, but it is not naturally found there - it must be consumed in the food that we eat or in a supplement. There are a lot of foods that contain Zinc. Believe it or not the food that contains the most Zinc are oysters - and it isn't even close!  Meat is very high in Zinc having about two milligrams (mg) per serving, but oysters have 32 mg per serving of Zinc! So, if you are an oyster lover be cautious about taking Zinc supplementation of any type.

That's right, taking in too much Zinc can cause problems! In high doses Zinc can cause nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps, headaches and dizziness, loss of appetite and taste disturbances, abdominal pain and bloating, anemia because of interference with iron absorption and utilization and it can even cause reduced levels of HDL – that is the good cholesterol.

Some people take Zinc to enhance immune function – like in certain cold medicines – but in high doses Zinc can actually decrease your ability to fight a cold! Certain antibiotics and blood thinners are also affected by excessive Zinc supplementation.

We choose to include 25 mg instead of 80 mg because it was tested in the AREDS 2 study and found to be equally effective! We know there's less risk and better safety when there's less Zinc, because older people who take too much Zinc can have several bad side effects.