Dr. Grossman’s Blog

Studies done by researchers in England in the late 90’s found that eating a diet with sufficient amounts of the anti-oxidant carotenoids such as alpha- and beta-carotene, lycopene, and lutein reduced the risk of certain types of cataracts. These researchers found:

• People with the highest blood concentrations of either alpha- or beta-carotene were 30-50% less likely to develop “nuclear cataracts”—those cataracts located in the center (the nucleus) of the lens.
• People with high blood levels of lycopene (found in high concentrations in cooked tomatoes) were associated with a 60% lower risk of “cortical cataracts”—those cataracts located in the outer layer of the lens. (Are those Italians on to something?)
• And people with high lutein concentrations were 50% less likely to develop “posterior subcapular cataracts”—those cataracts located toward the bottom rear of the lens.

The study shows that a diet rich in antioxidants can reduce the risk of cataracts. So what are carotenoids? Carotenoids are yellow, orange, and red pigments synthesized by plants. Common foods highest in alpha- and beta-carotene are:

• Pumpkin
• Carrots and carrot juice.
• (And for beta-carotene add sweet potato.)

Carotenoids are best absorbed with fat in a meal. Chopping, pureeing, and cooking carotenoid-containing vegetables in oil generally increases the bioavailability of the carotenoids they contain.

Common foods highest in Lutein are:

• Spinach
• Kale
• Collards

Also, interestingly enough, several epidemiological studies found that men with high intakes of lycopene from tomatoes and tomato products were less likely to develop prostate cancer than men with low intakes.

More and more it seems modern science is finding out what mothers have known for centuries … Eat your vegetables. They’re good for you!

You can also read what others say about natural products that help cataracts.

References: Gale CR, Hall NF, Phillips DI, et al. “Plasma antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids and age-related cataract.” Ophthalmology, 2001;108:1992-1998.

Jacques PF, Chylack LT. Jr., Hankinson SE, et al. “Long-term nutrient intake and early age-related nuclear lens opacities,” Archives of Ophthalmology, 2001;119:1009-1019.

Jane Higdon, Ph.D., Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, “Carotenoids—Alpha-Carotene, Beta-Carotene, Beta-Cryptoxanthin, Lycopene, Lutein and Zeaxanthin.”