Cataracts & Nutrition
Can cataracts be reversed? This seems to be a matter of debate, with some sources stating that certain eye drop solutions are effective, while other sources state that cataract reversal is only possible with surgery. Yet, many reliable researchers show that prevention is possible. Nutrition is one promising means of preventing or delaying the progression of cataracts. Research shows that there are several risk factors for cataracts that can be controlled by: not smoking, reducing exposure to sunlight by wearing UVA/UVB protective eyewear and wide brimmed hats, controlling other diseases such as diabetes and eating a healthy diet.
Several research studies show that antioxidant properties of vitamins C and E may protect against the development and progression of cataracts. Early evidence also suggests that the carotenoids lutein (pronounced loo-teen) and zeaxanthin (pronounced zee-uh-zan-thin), which are also antioxidants, may also be protective against cataracts. Lutein and zeaxanthin are promising nutrients in the fight against cataracts. Lutein and zeaxanthin are the only carotenoids found in the lens. Several recent studies have examined these two nutrients and their relationship to reducing the risk of developing cataracts:
The Nurses’ Health Study found that high amounts of lutein+zeaxanthin were associated with a reduced need for cataract surgery. On average, people had intakes around 6 milligrams (mg) of lutein+zeaxanthin each day.
The Health Professional’s Follow-Up Study also found that eating foods with high amounts of lutein+zeaxanthin (6.9 mg per day) were correlated with a reduced need for cataract surgery.
The five-year follow-up to the Beaver Dam Eye Study showed that people with the highest intakes of lutein+zeaxanthin had a significantly lower risk for developing new cataracts than those with the lowest intakes.
A recent study in England found that people with the highest amount of lutein in their blood, resulting from regular consumption of good food sources of lutein, had the lowest risk for posterior subcapsular cataracts.
Most fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of vitamin C, including oranges, grapefruit, strawberries and papaya, as well as green peppers and tomatoes.
Vitamin E is more difficult to obtain from food sources alone since it is found in very small quantities in foods, such as vegetable oils, nuts and seeds. Good food sources include vegetable oils (including safflower and corn oil), almonds, pecans, wheat germ and sunflower seeds.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are found together in many food sources. Dark green leafy vegetables are the primary source of lutein and zeaxanthin, but they are also present in lesser amounts in other colorful fruits and vegetables, such as broccoli, orange peppers, corn, peas, persimmons and tangerines.
According to recent research by Tufts, obese women are two and a half times more likely to get a certain type of cataract than healthy-weight women.
Sources:
American Optometric Association: www.aoa.org
Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol 12, Issue 2 138-146, Copyright © 1993 by American College of Nutrition; Cataract: relationship between nutrition and oxidation; A. Taylor
Laboratory for Nutrition and Vision Research, USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA.
Health & Nutrition Letter, Tufts University; January 2004 › A Cataract/Body Weight Connection
Adjunctive Nutritional Schedule:
FlavoC: 10 per day
CaroC: 8 per day
WheatGerm Oil: 4 per day
WholeFood Complex: 1T per day
SuperGreens: 1T per day
Several research studies show that antioxidant properties of vitamins C and E may protect against the development and progression of cataracts. Early evidence also suggests that the carotenoids lutein (pronounced loo-teen) and zeaxanthin (pronounced zee-uh-zan-thin), which are also antioxidants, may also be protective against cataracts. Lutein and zeaxanthin are promising nutrients in the fight against cataracts. Lutein and zeaxanthin are the only carotenoids found in the lens. Several recent studies have examined these two nutrients and their relationship to reducing the risk of developing cataracts:The Nurses’ Health Study found that high amounts of lutein+zeaxanthin were associated with a reduced need for cataract surgery. On average, people had intakes around 6 milligrams (mg) of lutein+zeaxanthin each day.
The Health Professional’s Follow-Up Study also found that eating foods with high amounts of lutein+zeaxanthin (6.9 mg per day) were correlated with a reduced need for cataract surgery.
The five-year follow-up to the Beaver Dam Eye Study showed that people with the highest intakes of lutein+zeaxanthin had a significantly lower risk for developing new cataracts than those with the lowest intakes.
A recent study in England found that people with the highest amount of lutein in their blood, resulting from regular consumption of good food sources of lutein, had the lowest risk for posterior subcapsular cataracts.
Most fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of vitamin C, including oranges, grapefruit, strawberries and papaya, as well as green peppers and tomatoes.
Vitamin E is more difficult to obtain from food sources alone since it is found in very small quantities in foods, such as vegetable oils, nuts and seeds. Good food sources include vegetable oils (including safflower and corn oil), almonds, pecans, wheat germ and sunflower seeds.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are found together in many food sources. Dark green leafy vegetables are the primary source of lutein and zeaxanthin, but they are also present in lesser amounts in other colorful fruits and vegetables, such as broccoli, orange peppers, corn, peas, persimmons and tangerines.
According to recent research by Tufts, obese women are two and a half times more likely to get a certain type of cataract than healthy-weight women.
Sources:
American Optometric Association: www.aoa.org
Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol 12, Issue 2 138-146, Copyright © 1993 by American College of Nutrition; Cataract: relationship between nutrition and oxidation; A. Taylor
Laboratory for Nutrition and Vision Research, USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA.
Health & Nutrition Letter, Tufts University; January 2004 › A Cataract/Body Weight Connection
Adjunctive Nutritional Schedule:
FlavoC: 10 per day
CaroC: 8 per day
WheatGerm Oil: 4 per day
WholeFood Complex: 1T per day
SuperGreens: 1T per day
<< Home