High Levels of AntiOxidants Seem to Lower Cataract Risk

People who consume large amounts of anti-oxidants – from a combination of food and supplements – have a lower risk of developing cataracts.

William G. Christen, ScD, of the Harvard Medical School, Boston, and his colleagues tracked the eating habits, supplement use, and risk of cataract among 35,551 women health professionals for an average of 10 years. During this time 2,031 women developed cataracts.

Women with the highest dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin – almost 7 mg daily combined – were 18 percent less likely to develop cataracts, compared with those who had low intake of these antioxidants. The large amount of lutein and zeaxanthin reflected significant consumption of vegetables, and the amount is comparable to many high-potency supplements.

Furthermore, women with the highest vitamin E intake from foods and supplements – 262 mg, or almost 400 IU, daily – were 14 percent less likely to develop cataracts, compared with women who had low intake of the vitamin. That amount of vitamin E is impossible to consume from food alone, so most of the vitamin E likely came from supplements.

The researchers also noted protective trends from eating large amounts of leafy green vegetables and particularly raw spinach. These foods are rich sources of lutein and zeaxanthin, and previous studies have found that high intake of leafy green vegetables are associated with a lower risk of cataract.

Reference: Christen WG, Liu S, Glynn RJ, et al. Dietary
carotenoids, vitamins C and E, and risk of cataract in women.
Archives of Ophthalmology, 2008;126:102-109.

Source: The Nutrition Reporter March 2008