Lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin E show protective association against cataract

The January 14, 2008 issue of the American Medical Association journal Archives of Ophthalmology published the discovery of Harvard researchers that women whose diets are high in lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamin E have a reduced risk of developing cataracts. Lutein and zeaxanthin are antioxidant xanthophylls which occur in yellow or dark, leafy vegetables. Improved intake of lutein and zeaxanthin has been linked with a lower risk of another eye disease—age-related macular degeneration.

For the current study, William G. Christen, ScD, of Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School and his colleagues utilized data from 35,551 participants in the Women’s Health Study. Dietary questionnaires completed upon enrollment in 1993 were analyzed for levels of antioxidants including alpha and beta-carotene, beta cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin, vitamin C and vitamin E in food and multivitamin supplements. The women, who were 45 years of age or older, were followed for an average of 10 years. Continue Reading