What are the potential side effects of the AREDS vitamins and minerals?
The AREDS participants reported few side effects from the treatments. About 7.5 percent of participants assigned to the zinc treatments — compared with 5.0 percent who did not have zinc in their assigned treatment — had urinary tract problems. Yellowing of the skin, a well-known side effect of large doses of beta-carotene, was reported slightly more often by participants taking antioxidants.
