Effects of Goji vs. Fiber on Macular Degeneration

Exclusion Criteria13

• Dislike of, or allergy to, goji berries or any of the ingredients in the fiber-rich wafers and gummies (wheat, corn, oats, soy, natural orange flavor, xylitol, annatto, pectin, or other food ingredients)
• Consumption of > 2 alcoholic drinks per day
• Indications of substance or alcohol abuse
• Current or planned use of a blood thinner (e.g., Coumadin, Warfarin) at any time during study
• Use of multi-vitamin or any other supplements that contain lutein and/or zeaxanthin (if willing to stop the supplement, subject can be enrolled 6 months from stop date)
• Taking any new medications started within the past 6 months, or changes in medication regimen planned in the next 6 months (stable use greater than 6 months is not exclusionary)
• Any planned international travel during the study
• Consuming >3 servings/day of a combination of spinach, kale, lettuce, orange bell peppers, corn, parsley, squash, broccoli, pumpkin, edamame
• Regularly consuming >3 eggs/day
• Currently participating in any other interventional research study
• Diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, other gastrointestinal disorder, undergoing cancer therapy or immunocompromised, or diagnosis of another condition where lutein, zeaxanthin and/or fiber supplementation would be contraindicated or would interfere with ability to participate in the study
• Any physical characteristic or condition that precludes ability to perform study procedures
• Medical or psychiatric condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator, would compromise study findings or prevent the participant from completing the study