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Herbs, Nutrition, and
Cataracts
Age-related cataract is a
leading cause of blindness
in the world today. While
the exact cause of cataracts
is unknown, scientific
investigation is continuing
to determine whether
consuming herbs, nutritional
supplements, and healthy
foods can reduce the risk of
developing cataracts.
Human studies exploring use
of herbs to slow or prevent
cataracts appear scarce. But
Integrative Medicine
reference book cites
research using rats in which
the herb, turmeric, reduced
cataract formation.
Remember, however, to never
undertake use of any herb as
a medicinal remedy without
consulting your doctor
first.
Turmeric is an antioxidant.
And generally eating a
healthy diet rich in
antioxidants and certain
vitamins has been shown in
some studies to possibly
reduce the risk of cataracts
or their progression.
Diet, Oxidative Stress, and
Cataracts
Oxidative stress results
when we have an imbalance
between damaging free
radicals and the
antioxidants that keep them
in check. Free radicals are
atoms or groups of atoms
(molecules) that are highly
reactive with other atoms
and molecules because they
have unpaired electrons. In
the body, a free radical is
usually an oxygen molecule
that self-stabilizes by
taking an electron from
another molecule, which in
turn tries to take an
electron from another
molecule, and so on. Free
radicals damage the body by
stealing electrons from the
normally healthy cells of
organs and other tissues.
This process of stealing
electrons from healthy cells
is called oxidation.
In the eye, oxidation
affects proteins and fats in
the lens to the extent that
the lens becomes damaged and
cloudy, creating what we
call cataracts. Preventing
free radical damage with
healthy foods, particularly
those containing
antioxidants, may help slow
down this process.
Free radicals that damage
our eyes and the rest of the
body may originate from
exposure to pollution or
chemicals, smoking,
radiation exposure, and
eating unhealthy foods. Some
free radicals occur from
normal daily metabolism,
which means even people who
don't have those exposures
need antioxidants found in
the healthy foods we eat.
Antioxidants include some
vitamins and phytochemicals
that can be found in the
foods we eat. Vitamin C,
vitamin A, lutein, and
vitamin E are some examples
of antioxidants that have
been shown in studies
possibly to reduce the risk
of cataracts. These
antioxidants, as well as
others, are easily obtained
from eating a diet
containing plentiful amounts
of fruits and colorful or
dark green vegetables. The
compounds that give fruits
and vegetables their colors
contain the antioxidants
that help keep us healthy.
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