Vitamin C and Cataracts

Studies show that Vitamin C supplements may increase the risk of developing cataracts in women. However, another study shows that too little Vitamin C can also lead to an increased risk of developing cataracts in the elderly. Which is correct or are they both? What is the link between Vitamin C and cataracts?

What are cataracts? Cataracts are a clouding of the lens covering the eye. Light passes through the lens and focuses the image on your retina. When the lens is clouded by cataracts, less light and less of an image can reach the retina.

Vitamin C and the eye. It was found that cataracts occur more frequently when Vitamin C levels decrease in the lens of the eye. Reduced intake of Vitamin C can be responsible. If this is the case, then it stands to reason that taking a Vitamin C supplement should help prevent cataracts. But that is not so.

Vitamin C supplements and cataract risk. An article published at Reuters discusses a Swedish study that found that taking Vitamin C supplements actually increased the risk of developing cataracts. In the study, those who took Vitamin C supplements had a 13 percent chance of developing cataracts compared to those who took no supplements, with a 9 percent chance of developing cataracts. If a lack of Vitamin C in the lens of the eye can cause cataracts, yet taking Vitamin C supplements can also increase the risk of cataracts, how do you keep Vitamin C in the lens of the eye?

Natural sources of Vitamin C and eye health. A study in India showed that those who got enough Vitamin C in their diets from natural food sources were at less of a risk of developing cataracts. This is a case where vitamins from natural food sources are definitely preferably to supplements.

REFERENCES:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2004060/cataracts_and_you.html?cat=5

http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/12/17/us-cataract-risk-idUSTRE5BG30E20091217

http://www.lifescript.com/Health/News/Reuters/2011/07/14/Vitamin_C_from_food_tied_to_lower_cataract_risk.aspx?utm_campaign=2011-07-18-86297&utm_source=healthy-advantage&utm_medium=email&utm_content=healthy-news-bites_Vitamin%20C%20from%20food%20t&FromNL=1&sc_date=20110718T000000