Beta Carotene may not help against AMD

Beta Carotene pills, previously thought to be useful in slowing or preventing vision loss from age related macular degeneration may not be as effective as scientists once thought.

A new study showed no benefit for beta carotene pills alone against the disease. These findings come from a study which tracked more than 21,000 male doctors for an average of 12 years. The participants took either 50mg of beta carotene or a dummy pill every other day.

Almost the same number of participants in each group developed age related macular degeneration, showing that the beta carotene neither increased nor decreased the risk of developing the disease.

The study did not include any woman, so further study will have to be done to find if the outcome is the same for women. Additionally, this study does not suggest that carrots are not helpful for preserving eyesight.

The best advice, scientists say, is to eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day because its the combination of nutrients that seems most important.