The National Eye Institute (NEI) recommendations:
NEI recommendations are published online and which are based on the Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). The NEI recommends that the eye care professional evaluate your eyes for signs of AMD using a dilated eye exam and ask your physician whether you would benefit from these antioxidants. The NEI does not recommend a particular age to start surveillance for AMD. The NEI reviewed The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) published in The Journal of the American Medical Association back in October of 2011. The NEI states that men should be aware that vitamin E of 400 IU per day was associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer, but those who took selenium with vitamin E did not show increased risk. Additionally, the NEI reviewed the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta Carotene Trial (ATBC) and The Physicians Health Study II (PHS II) which showed that lower doses of vitamin E did not affect prostate cancer incidence. The NEI also reveiwed large clinical trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute which showed that beta-carotene supplements increase risk of lung cancer in smokers. The NEI concludes that after review of the studies, beta-carotene use not only increases risk of lung cancer, but also may slightly increase risk of lung cancer for at least a period of several years after quitting smoking. (7)