Condition
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a diabetes complication that damages the blood vessels in the retina, and it is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults. Vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids are the main supplements studied, though the evidence is limited, and one small study found probiotics improved blood glucose. That result is about blood sugar, not eyesight, so it's too early to say what any supplement does for the retina.
Sources: PMID 39349104
- Supplements studied
- 1
- Graded outcomes
- 1
- Trials
- 1
- People studied
- 55
Evidence by supplement
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood glucose Small Improvement | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 1 study | 55 people | ||
| C-Reactive Protein (CRP) | Improves (the measure goes down) | 2 studies | 55 people | |||
| HbA1c | Improves (the measure goes down) | 2 studies | 55 people | |||
Studies that measured hba1c
| ||||||
| Insulin Resistance | Improves (the measure goes down) | 1 study | 55 people | |||
Studies that measured insulin resistance | ||||||
| Diabetic Retinopathy Symptoms | Improves (the measure goes down) | 55 people | ||||
| Glutathione (GSH) | Improves (the measure goes up) | 55 people | ||||
| High-density lipoprotein (HDL) | Improves (the measure goes up) | 55 people | ||||
| Insulin | Changes; see studies | 55 people | ||||
| Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) | Improves (the measure goes down) | 55 people | ||||
| Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) | Improves (the measure goes up) | 55 people | ||||
Key findings
- Blood glucoseImproves (the measure goes down)
The Diabetic Retinopathy Supportive Care protocol
2 primary supplements · 3 supporting supplements
- Vitamin D2,000–4,000 IU daily
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids2–3 g EPA+DHA daily
Shop the evidence-backed picks
Support alongside medical care. These supplements are not a treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy. If you are being treated for it, talk to your clinician before adding one: supplements can interact with medicines.
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Studies cited
6 studies from PubMed
- The effects of probiotic supplementation on cardiometabolic health in patients with prediabetes: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and GRADE assessment.
- Probiotic Supplementation and Inflammatory Status in Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
- Probiotics Supplementation for Improving Glucolipid Parameters in Individuals with Prediabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials.
- Effect of probiotics on C-reactive protein levels in schizophrenia: Evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Effects of probiotics supplementation on glycemic profile in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A grade-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- The effects of probiotics supplements on metabolic indices and clinical signs in patients with diabetic retinopathy, a randomized double blind clinical trial.