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• Posted: 2009-03-10 20:54:29 By Scott S
• Stephen, Why are you not using the Vitamin A? My email is scottandsmith@hotmail.com if you want to reply privately.
  
  Scott
  

• Posted: 2009-03-10 21:21:27 By Stephen S
• Scott,
  
  Essentially it relates to the dangers of too much Vitamin A for someone my son's age. Too much can be toxic and lead to either liver damage or even death, since it is not absorbed in a child the same as an adult.

• Posted: 2009-03-11 00:29:33 By Darran Z
• Not only that, but this is still a contreversial study at best. There are several FFB researchers who DO NOT support this. There are more questions than answers to this. Several I know on the Scientific Advisory Board (two of them are or have been my personal ophtalmologist) and do not support this at all. And in some cases, may expediate the progression.
  
  Darran

• Posted: 2009-03-13 15:03:00 By Elizabeth J
• My doctor has me on 25,000 IUs of Beta Carotene so I am curious what the thoughts are on using this along with DHA 1200 and 800 IUs of Vitamin E, Lutein and 1000 IUs of Vitamin C?

• Posted: 2009-03-14 14:06:02 By Darran Z
• I would stay away from Vitamin E. It has been shown to be detrimental to RP.
  
  Some doctors say take the 25,000 IU of beta caroten because that is the precursor to Vitamin A. Your liver will convert this to what yoru body needs and expell the remainder because it is water soluble and is easier to rid out of yoru body thatn the Palmitate form which is fat soluble. You don't have the risks of toxicity with beta carotene.
  
  Lutein has some striking evidence that needs to be further examined. Mostly Lutien and Zeaxathrin. But to what extent it helps someone with RP is unknown. There needs to be further studies on this. YOu can search www.pubmed.gov and see any clinical publications on this.
  
  Bottomline is supplements may not do anyting but give you a subjective feeling of helping you. There are some studies out there but further is needed. There are some contreversies on these too.
  
  Remember, RP is made up of 100s of different genes and therefore, exact reason why the retinal (rods and cones degenerate) may not be a deficiency. Such as in the Rhodopsin RP gene. More vitamin A may be detrimental to this since the retinol in the cells, after the lightwaves hit it and leave a toxic byproduct, in Rodopsin, this by-product is not easily expelled and therefore, the build up of toxicity of th is pybroduct causes the cells to die. Other forms of RP may not have this problem.
  
  So you see why supplements may even be dangerous.
  
  Darran