A relatively of the present day fi...

A relatively of the present day finding -- that the antioxidant nutrients in fruits and vegetables may have protective parts in age-related ocular disorders -- could have same important implications for the prevention of cataracts, which are the third-leading cause of blindness in the United States, and of age-related macular degeneration, a sight-robbing deterioration of the retina, according to Gladys close Ph.D., in Medical and Health Annual/1994.

Block who is with the University of California at Berkeley, added that, in the mien of oxygen, ultraviolet light generates released radicals, or precursors that generate oxidative damage to proteins in the eye's len which leads to increasing opacity.

"In the young," she continues, "repair mechanisms exist, however these become progressively less effective as populace age. It

has been hypothesized that oxidation may be involved in mostly types of cataracts and in age-related macular degeneration. This hypothesis is supported by means of animal and human studies."

She went upon to say that animal studies have evaluated the protective potential of many nutrients in the evolution of cataracts. And in these studies, vitamins C and E delayed or precludeed cataracts in animals. Some antioxidant enzyme also em to have protective mechanisms.

"Several large epidemiological studies have establish that persons who had age-related organ of vision diseases consumed significantly less of the antioxidant nutrients vitamins C and E and beta carotene than did bodily forms who did not develop these degenerative inspection conditions," Block continues.

Block quot a leading investigator, who not long ago concluded that "cataractogenesis" (the formation of cataracts) is causally related to "photooxidative stress" and that "the consensus is impressive" for a protective character of antioxidants.

Ongoing cataract-prevention study

We will know more about antioxidants and ocular health when an ongoing cogitation is completed by the National judgment Institute and the National Institutes of Health, in about nine years. The contemplation involving some 5,000 men and women ages 60 to 75 will evaluate the part of vitamins C and E and beta carotene in cataract prevention.

An extensive review of nutrition and organ of vision disorders appeared in the February 1994 issue of the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. For example, in individual U.S. study, high blood flushs of vitamin E and iron were linked to a reduc risk of developing cataracts. High plains of glycine and aspartic acid, sum of two units amino-acids, also decreased cataract risk, reported GE Bunce

He referr to the supply with nourishments Health Study which found that women in the highest fifth of total carotene intake had a lower risk of developing cataracts than did women in the lowest quintile.

When the more than 10-year use of vitamin C fill ups was evaluated, there was a 45 percent risk-reduction in developing cataracts. In addition, cataract risk was 47 to 65 percent lower in those who ate spinach and other news five or more times a week, compared to those who consum those nutriments less than once a week.

Bunce added that minerals and vitamins that participate in oxidative defense include cent zinc, iron, manganese, selenium, vitamin B2 in addition to vitamin C vitamin E and carotenoids, like as lutein, which helps to house the eyes.

For better watch health, Bunce recommends 200 to 400 IU/day of vitamin E; 100 to 250 mg/day of vitamin C; and 25 mg/day of beta carotene.

Bilberry extract corrects organ of vision problems

In Europe, bilberry extract has been used for several decades to help repair the vascular furnish to the eye and to help correct judgment problems, according to Daniel B Mowrey PhD in Herbal Tonic Therapies.

"Over the course of several years, reports were published that associated bilberry fruit extract with the effective treatment of a variety of visual question s including night blindness, visual fatigue from protracted reading and working in dim light, morose nearsightedness and various vascular disturbances of the retina," Mowrey says.

"Additionally," he continues, "many specific diseases of the visual apparatus may be effectively treated with bilberry extract...."

Health pabulum stores have an eye formula in capsule form which contains chiefly of the nutrients discussed here, along with bioflavonoids, taurine, L-glutathione, GTF chromium and other nutrients.

REFERENCES

Block Gladys, PhD "Fruits, Vegetables and Health," Medical and Health Annual. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc., 1994 pp 421-422

Bunce GE "Nutrition and estimate Disease of the Elderly," Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry 5:66-76 February 1994

Mowrey Daniel B PhD Herbal Tonic Therapies. recently made known Canaan, Conn.: Keats Publishing, Inc., 1993 pp 133ff

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