Antioxidants May Reduce Cataracts

The more Vitamin E and lutein you consume, the less likely you are of getting cataracts. This was the conclusion arrived at after 35,000 women took part in a study for an average of 10 years, under William G. Christen, the lead author and associate professor of medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital in the US. The research results were published in the January issue of The Archives of Ophthalmology.

After adjusting for smoking, alcohol use, body mass index and other variables, researchers discovered that one-fifth of the women who consumed Vitamin E reduced their risk of cataracts by 14 per cent, and 18 per cent with lutein, compared with another one-fifth who did not supplement at all.

Vegetable oils, nuts, leafy green vegetables and whole grains are rich sources of Vitamin E, while lutein is found in corn, egg yolks, kale, spinach and other vegetables and fruits. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, says Christen, as there is a benefit to antioxidants contained in them.

You could also opt for supplements of Vitamin E andlutein easily available in the market.