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SINGAPORE: Antioxidants from both food and supplements may reduce risk of cataracts, researchers say.
According to a study in the January issue of The Archives of Ophthalmology which studied 35,000 women for an average of 10 years the more antioxidants (specifically, Vitamin E and lutein) the women used, the less likely they were to have cataracts.
Compared with the group of women who consumed the least antioxidants, the group that consumed the most reduced their risk for cataracts by 14 per cent with Vitamin E and 18 per cent with lutein.
The health benefits of antioxidants have been extensively studied. According to Dr Jeffrey Blumberg from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, antioxidants are substances found in foods that fight highly toxic molecules called free radicals.
"Free radicals are produced in our body through our normal metabolism. They can also be caused by environmental factors such as cigarette smoke and air pollutants," said Dr Blumberg, who was a speaker at the Wyeth Consumer Healthcare for the Public Forum 2008 last month.
Free radicals typically cause oxidation or damage to body cells, added Lim Meng Thiam, a nutritionist from the Health Promotion Board (HPB).
"This may contribute to the development of health problems such as cancer, heart disease and cataracts over time," he added.
Dr Blumberg further explained that cataracts develop because "the ultraviolet light passing through the lens of the eye produces free radicals that damage the proteins in the tissue". This causes the tissue to clump together, making the lens opaque.
The recommended intake for Vitamin E is 15mg per day for adults. This is based on the Dietary Reference Intakes developed by the Institute of Medicine of the USA National Academy.
As for lutein, Mr Lim said that "more research needs to be done before official recommendations on the intake of lutein can be made".
However, Dr Blumberg added that most people are not meeting the recommended intake of dietary antioxidants due to their "busy lifestyle", and recommended supplementing with a multivitamin to ensure that they are meeting all their nutrient requirements.
On the other hand, Dr Sharifah Zainah Alsagoff, consultant and deputy head of Cataract and Comprehensive Ophthalmology Service department at Singapore National Eye Centre, said that cataract which is most commonly due to ageing is "largely unpreventable".
However, being very short-sighted, high exposure to sunlight, smoking and certain medical problems like diabetes can cause cataracts to develop faster.
"There is no proof that any nutrient can help to directly prevent or retard cataracts," said Dr Zainah Alsagoff.
She added: "Leading a healthy lifestyle may retard its appearance and progress. It may also help to wear sunglasses when out in the sun and to stop smoking." - TODAY/ar
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