Researchers studied a special folate supplement called Ocufolin® in 10 people with diabetes who had early eye damage and a specific genetic variation affecting how their bodies process folate. After taking the supplement, patients showed improvements in several blood markers that indicate better blood vessel health and less inflammation. The most impressive change was a 47% decrease in a protein called VEGF that’s linked to eye damage in diabetes. While these results are promising, the study was small, so larger research is needed to confirm whether this supplement could help protect eyesight in people with diabetic eye disease.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a folate supplement (Ocufolin®) could improve blood markers related to eye damage in people with diabetes who have a genetic variation affecting folate processing
  • Who participated: 10 adults with Type 2 diabetes, early diabetic eye disease, and specific genetic variations (MTHFR C677T or A1298C) that affect how their bodies handle folate
  • Key finding: After taking Ocufolin®, patients showed significant improvements in multiple blood markers: homocysteine dropped 23%, inflammation markers decreased 18%, and a protein linked to eye damage (VEGF) fell 47%
  • What it means for you: This suggests that for people with diabetes and this specific genetic variation, a targeted folate supplement might help protect their eyes from damage. However, this is early-stage research with a very small group, so talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement

The Research Details

This was a prospective cohort study, which means researchers followed the same 10 patients over time and measured their blood markers before and after they took Ocufolin®. All participants had both Type 2 diabetes and mild diabetic retinopathy (early eye damage from diabetes), plus they all carried specific genetic variations in the MTHFR gene that affects how their bodies process folate—a B vitamin important for many body functions.

The researchers measured 13 different blood markers before the patients started taking Ocufolin® and again after treatment. These markers included things like homocysteine (an amino acid that can damage blood vessels), inflammation markers, cholesterol levels, insulin levels, and proteins related to eye damage. This approach allowed them to see whether the supplement changed these important health indicators.

This study design is important because it focuses on a specific group of people—those with both diabetes and a genetic variation affecting folate metabolism. This targeted approach makes sense because people with these genetic variations may not process folate normally, potentially making them more vulnerable to eye damage from diabetes. By measuring multiple blood markers, the researchers could see whether the supplement affected the underlying biological processes that cause eye damage, not just symptoms.

This study has some important limitations to understand: it’s very small (only 10 people), there was no control group (no one taking a placebo for comparison), and it was relatively short-term. The small size means results could be due to chance or individual differences rather than the supplement itself. The lack of a comparison group makes it harder to know if improvements came from the supplement or other factors. However, the study does measure objective blood markers rather than relying on patient reports, which is a strength. The consistent improvements across multiple markers suggest real changes, but larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.

What the Results Show

The most striking result was a 47% decrease in VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), a protein that drives abnormal blood vessel growth in diabetic eye disease. This is significant because excessive VEGF is a major driver of vision loss in diabetic retinopathy. The supplement also reduced homocysteine by 23%, which matters because high homocysteine damages blood vessels throughout the body, including in the eyes.

Inflammation also improved: high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation) dropped 18%, and fasting insulin levels fell 13%. These changes suggest the supplement helped reduce the inflammatory state that damages blood vessels. Additionally, glutathione (a natural antioxidant that protects cells) increased 9%, indicating less oxidative stress—another mechanism of eye damage in diabetes.

Interestingly, D-Dimer (a blood clotting marker) increased 15%, which the researchers noted but didn’t fully explain. This finding warrants further investigation. Importantly, HbA1c—the main measure of long-term blood sugar control—didn’t change, suggesting the supplement works through different mechanisms than blood sugar control alone.

Several other markers showed modest changes: triglycerides decreased 6%, HDL (good cholesterol) increased 4%, and total cholesterol increased 3%. The increases in total cholesterol and LDL (bad cholesterol) at 4% each, along with an 8% increase in oxidized LDL (a particularly harmful form), are somewhat concerning and suggest the supplement’s effects on cholesterol metabolism are complex. Myeloperoxidase, another inflammation marker, increased slightly by 2%, which doesn’t clearly support the anti-inflammatory hypothesis.

This research builds on existing knowledge that people with MTHFR genetic variations may struggle to process folate properly, potentially increasing their risk for complications from diabetes. Previous studies have shown that high homocysteine and VEGF are linked to diabetic eye disease, so improvements in these markers align with what scientists expect would help protect eyes. However, most previous research on folate supplementation in diabetes hasn’t specifically focused on people with MTHFR variations or measured such a comprehensive set of blood markers, making this study’s approach relatively novel.

The biggest limitation is the tiny sample size of just 10 people—this makes it impossible to know if results would hold up in larger groups or if improvements were just due to chance. There was no control group taking a placebo, so we can’t be certain the supplement caused the changes rather than other factors like diet changes or natural variation. The study was also relatively short-term, so we don’t know if benefits last over months or years. Additionally, the study excluded people with other eye or health conditions, so results may not apply to people with more complicated medical situations. Finally, the researchers didn’t report how long patients took the supplement or whether they experienced any side effects.

The Bottom Line

Based on this early-stage research, Ocufolin® may be worth discussing with your doctor if you have Type 2 diabetes, early diabetic eye disease, and have been tested for MTHFR genetic variations. However, confidence in this recommendation is LOW because the study is small and lacks a comparison group. This should be considered a potential adjunctive (additional) treatment alongside standard diabetes care, not a replacement for it. Do not start any supplement without consulting your healthcare provider, especially if you take blood thinners or other medications.

This research is most relevant to people with Type 2 diabetes who have early diabetic eye disease and carry MTHFR genetic variations. If you have diabetes but haven’t been tested for MTHFR variations, discuss genetic testing with your doctor to see if it applies to you. People with advanced diabetic retinopathy, other eye diseases, or significant other health conditions should be especially cautious and discuss this with their eye doctor and primary care physician. This research is NOT a substitute for standard diabetes management, blood sugar control, and regular eye exams.

Based on this study, blood marker improvements appeared within the timeframe of the study (specific duration not stated in the abstract). However, it’s unclear how long it takes to see potential benefits for actual eyesight or how long benefits last. Realistic expectations would be to give any supplement at least 3-6 months while monitoring blood markers and eye health with your doctor, but individual results will vary.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If your doctor approves Ocufolin®, track your homocysteine and VEGF levels every 3 months through blood tests, along with your HbA1c (blood sugar control) and blood pressure. Log the dates you take the supplement and any changes you notice in vision, energy, or other symptoms.
  • Set a daily reminder to take Ocufolin® at the same time each day (consistency matters for supplements). Pair it with a habit you already do, like taking it with breakfast. Also schedule quarterly blood tests to monitor the markers mentioned above so you and your doctor can assess whether the supplement is working for you.
  • Create a simple spreadsheet or use your app to track: (1) supplement adherence (did you take it today?), (2) blood test results when available (homocysteine, VEGF, HbA1c, cholesterol), (3) any vision changes or eye symptoms, and (4) other diabetes management metrics like blood sugar readings and blood pressure. Share this with your doctor at regular visits to evaluate whether the supplement is providing benefits.

This research summary is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. The study is small (10 participants) and lacks a control group, so results are preliminary and may not apply to all people. Do not start Ocufolin® or any supplement without consulting your doctor, especially if you have diabetes, take blood thinners, or have other medical conditions. Regular eye exams and standard diabetes management remain essential for protecting your vision. Always discuss genetic testing and supplementation with your healthcare provider to determine if this approach is appropriate for your individual situation.