Dr. Grossman’s Blog

Measuring serum lycopene levels may help doctors diagnose and evaluate patients with diabetic retinopathy.

A recent study finds that lycopene levels were significantly lower in individuals with diabetes. According to the study, “subjects with proliferative diabetic retinopathy had significantly lower lycopene levels than subjects without diabetic retinopathy or with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy.”

This study and others have found that oxidative stress is related to the  development of microvascular complications (conditions related to diabetes including include diabetic nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, and diabetic retinopathy)  in patients with diabetes.  Lycopene has been found to play a role in the prevention of oxidative stress-related disease.

Lycopene is found in its high levels in tomatoes, but apricots, guava, watermelon, papaya, and pink grapefruit are also significant sources.

For more on diabetic retinopathy, please visit our website: http://www.naturaleyecare.com/diseases.asp?d_num=4

A study conducted in North India found that people with low levels of antioxidants had higher levels of cataracts.

Several recent studies have shown antioxidants are important in fighting macular degeneration. We are now learning how important these same antioxidants may be for preventing cataracts as well.

How can you boost your antioxidant levels? Eat more fruits and vegetables, especially those high in yellow, orange and dark green pigments.

In this new study 1,112 participants aged 50 or older were interviewed for risk factors (tobacco, alcohol, biomass fuel use, sunlight exposure and socioeconomic status) and underwent lens photography and blood sampling to measure antioxidant levels.

Researchers found significant inverse associations between cataracts and the antioxidants vitamin C, zeaxanthin, lutein, lycopene, alpha- and beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin; people with lower levels of these antioxidants had higher rates of cataracts.

Read more about antioxidants

Learn more about cataracts

Learn more about food sources for nutrients crucial for good eye health

Read more research on antioxidants and their importance for vision

SOURCE: Dherani M, Murthy GV, Gupta SK, et al. Blood levels of vitamin C, carotenoids and retinol are inversely associated with cataract in a North Indian population. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2008;49(8):3328-35.

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.”