Question about supplements

nitewind · 07-23-2009, 06:40 PM

Hi all, I can't remember if I asked this question before, so here goes.
I was finally able to find a bottle of Bilberry plus lutein, 1000 mg capsules.
Has anyone tried this? I have macular degeneration and it seems to be getting much worse in one eye. I read a colum in the paper the other day about bilberry and lutein and that it's suppose to slow down the progression.
I have the bottle in front of me and it says to check with doctor about drug interactions. My doc is away for three weeks, so I'm not sure what to do.
Anyone have any knowledge about this, I know we have lots of supplement experts here, any help?
Thanks

Pam P · 07-24-2009, 04:39 AM

I'd check with a pharmacist, or maybe another doc. Is it your onc. who is out of town? Check with your eye dr. If it were me & I couldn't get an answer I'd wait the 3 wks to check it out. That's me - I leary as I don't know much about supplements and they can do great good but also some harm if it's the wrong thing for the system.

Becky · 07-24-2009, 05:40 AM

Bilberry, like cranberry and other berry supplements, thins the blood so if you are taking other drugs or supplements that thin the blood (Fish oil, other berry supplements, aspirin, garlic) - there is a potential to thin it too much. I do take Fish oil and aspirin (just an fyi).

Berries also lower the blood sugar so if you are a diabetic and take drugs that lower the blood sugar, it could be too much. Same goes for blood pressure lowering drugs as it can lower blood pressure.

I think if you google bilberry and drug interactions, you might get something.

It is very smart of you to consider supplements as drugs. I do and really try to make sure I don't just add stuff without knowing the total impact.

ElaineM · 07-24-2009, 10:46 AM

You might want to consider the AREDS formula with Lutin for macular degeneration.
This was the formula tested in a clinical study on macular degeneration. Bausch & Lomb makes this product. You can get it at most pharmacies. You might want to ask a pharmacist at your pharmacy about it or you can do an internet search on AREDS.
You can always eat blueberries instead of taking Billberry supplements if you are concerned about drug interactions. Billberries are very similar to Blueberries in nutritional value. Good luck.
By the way, I read that Avastin is being used by some opthamologists for macular degeneration. You might want to ask your opthamologist about that sometime.

nitewind · 07-24-2009, 04:31 PM

Thanks for all your responses. I think I'll just hang on to this bottle for awhile and do some more research. Thanks for some pointers on which direction to take.
Hugs

R.B. · 07-24-2009, 04:49 PM

Sorry to hear that nitewind This has some useful thoughts on MD.

http://www.eyeadvisory.com/macular_degeneration.html

Photo receptor membranes are 60% DHA.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19508997

It is important to ensure adequate antioxidants.

The minerals are essential to antioxidant function. (Sea weed fish and shellfish and maybe a couple of Brazil nuts now and then for selenium)

Vitamin D is an antioxidant too, and so is iodine.

ElaineM · 07-25-2009, 04:30 PM

Thanks for the eye advisory post. Very good practical information about diet and the eyes.