Cataracts (Holistic)
About This Condition
- Load up on lutein
Supplement with 15 mg of this healthy antioxidant three times a week to improve vision in cases of age-related cataracts
- See what C can do
Help maintain antioxidant protection against cataracts by taking 500 to 1,000 mg of vitamin C every day
- Enjoy an eye-healthy diet
Eat plenty of green, leafy, lutein-rich vegetables, such as spinach and kale
- Say good-bye to smoking
Kick the habit to reduce the risk of oxidative damage that can lead to cataracts
- Block those rays
Shield your eyes from excessive exposure to sunlight to reduce the risk of oxidative damage leading to cataracts
About
About This Condition
Cataract is a cloudiness in the lens of the eye caused by damage to the protein of the lens. This damage impairs vision.
Most people who live long enough will develop cataracts.1 Cataracts are more likely to occur in those who smoke, have diabetes, or are exposed to excessive sunlight. All of these factors lead to oxidative damage. Oxidative damage to the lens of the eye appears to cause cataracts in animals2 and people.3
It is unlikely that any nutritional supplements or herbs can reverse existing cataracts, although it is possible they might help prevent cataracts from becoming worse.
Symptoms
Cataracts usually develop slowly without any pain or redness of the eye. The most common symptoms of a cataract are fuzzy or blurred vision, increasing need for light when reading or doing other close work, visual disturbances caused by bright lights (e.g., sunlight, car headlights), faded color perception, poor night vision, and frequent need to change eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions. A cataract will not spread from one eye to the other, although many people develop cataracts in both eyes.
Healthy Lifestyle Tips
Obese men are significantly more likely to develop a cataract than are men of normal body weight.4 To date, most,5, 6, 7, 8 but not all,9, 10 population studies have found an increased risk of cataracts as body mass increases.
Supplements
Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by some in the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.
For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.
3 StarsReliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
2 StarsContradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
1 StarFor an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.
| Supplement | Why |
|---|---|
2 Stars Lutein 15 mg three times per week | People with high intakes of the carotenoid lutein have been reported to be at a low risk for cataracts. People with low blood levels of antioxidants and those who eat few antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables have been reported to be at high risk for cataracts. People who eat a lot of spinach and kale, which are high in lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids similar to beta-carotene, have been reported to be at low risk for cataracts. Lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene offer the promise of protection because they are antioxidants. It is quite possible, however, that lutein is more important than beta-carotene, because lutein is found in the lens of the eye, while beta-carotene is not. In one preliminary study, lutein and zeaxanthin were the only carotenoids associated with protection from cataracts. People with the highest intake of lutein and zeaxanthin were half as likely to develop cataracts as those with the lowest intake. In another study, supplementation with 15 mg of lutein three times a week for one year significantly improved visual function in a small group of people with age-related cataracts.A double-blind trial found that supplementing with lutein and zeaxanthin did not prevent the development or progression of cataracts in people who had age-related macular degeneration. However, in the subgroup of patients with low dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin (20th percentile or lower) supplementing did exert a protective effect against cataracts. |
2 Stars Vitamin B2 3 mg daily with 40 mg daily vitamin B3 | Vitamin B2 is needed to protect glutathione, an important antioxidant in the eye. In one study, supplementing with vitamin B2 prevented cataracts in people who were deficient. People with low blood levels of antioxidants and those who eat few antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables have been reported to be at high risk for cataracts. Vitamin B2 and vitamin B3 are needed to protect glutathione, an important antioxidant in the eye. Vitamin B2 deficiency has been linked to cataracts. Older people taking 3 mg of vitamin B2 and 40 mg of vitamin B3 per day were partly protected against cataracts in one trial. However, the intake of vitamin B2 in China is relatively low, and it is not clear whether supplementation would help prevent cataracts in populations where vitamin B2 intake is higher. |
1 Star Beta-Carotene Refer to label instructions | People who eat fruits and vegetables rich in beta-carotene have a lower risk of developing cataracts. Caution: Synthetic beta-carotene has been linked to increased risk of lung cancer in smokers. Until more is known, smokers should avoid all beta-carotene supplements. People with low blood levels of antioxidants and those who eat few antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables have been reported to be at high risk for cataracts. Some, but not all, studies have reported that people eating more foods rich in beta-carotene had a lower the risk of developing cataracts. Supplementation with synthetic beta-carotene has not been found to reduce the risk of cataract formation. It remains unclear whether natural beta-carotene from food or supplements would protect the eye or whether beta-carotene in food is merely a marker for other protective factors in fruits and vegetables high in beta-carotene. |
1 Star Bilberry Refer to label instructions | Bilberry is high in flavonoids called anthocyanosides, which may protect both the lens and retina from oxidative damage and reduce the risk of cataracts. Bilberry, a close relative of blueberry, is high in flavonoids called anthocyanosides. Anthocyanosides may protect both the lens and retina from oxidative damage. The potent antioxidant activity of anthocyanosides may make bilberry useful for reducing the risk of cataracts. Doctors sometimes recommend 240 to 480 mg per day of bilberry extract, capsules or tablets standardized to contain 25% anthocyanosides. |
1 Star Quercetin Refer to label instructions | The flavonoid quercetin may help protect against cataracts by blocking sorbitol accumulation in the eye. |
1 Star Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 40 mg daily with 3 mg daily vitamin B2 | Vitamin B3 is needed to protect glutathione, an important antioxidant in the eye. People with low blood levels of antioxidants and those who eat few antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables have been reported to be at high risk for cataracts. Vitamin B2 and vitamin B3 are needed to protect glutathione, an important antioxidant in the eye. Vitamin B2 deficiency has been linked to cataracts. Older people taking 3 mg of vitamin B2 and 40 mg of vitamin B3 per day were partly protected against cataracts in one trial. However, the intake of vitamin B2 in China is relatively low, and it is not clear whether supplementation would help prevent cataracts in populations where vitamin B2 intake is higher. |
1 Star Vitamin C 500 to 1,000 mg daily | Supplementing with vitamin C, an important nutrient for healthy vision, has been linked with lower risk of developing cataracts. People with low blood levels of antioxidants and those who eat few antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables have been reported to be at high risk for cataracts. The major antioxidants in the lens of the eye are vitamin C and glutathione (a molecule composed of three amino acids). Vitamin C is needed to activate vitamin E, which in turn activates glutathione. Both nutrients are important for healthy vision. People who take multivitamins or any supplements containing vitamins C or E for more than 10 years have been reported to have a 60% lower risk of forming a cataract. Vitamin C levels in the eye decrease with age. However, supplementing with vitamin C prevents this decrease and has been linked to a lower risk of developing cataracts. Healthy people are more likely to take vitamin C and vitamin E supplements than those with cataracts according to some, but not all, studies. Dietary vitamin C intake has not been consistently associated with protection from cataracts. Nonetheless, because people who supplement with vitamin C have developed far fewer cataracts in some research, doctors often recommend 500 to 1,000 mg of vitamin C supplementation as part of a cataract prevention program. The difference between successful and unsuccessful trials may be tied to the length of time people actually supplement with vitamin C. In one preliminary study, people taking vitamin C for at least ten years showed a dramatic reduction in cataract risk, but those taking vitamin C for less than ten years showed no evidence of protection at all. |
1 Star Vitamin E Refer to label instructions | Low blood levels of vitamin E have been linked to increased risk of forming cataracts. Vitamin E supplements have been reported to protect against cataracts. People with low blood levels of antioxidants and those who eat few antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables have been reported to be at high risk for cataracts. Low blood levels of vitamin E have been linked to increased risk of forming cataracts. Dietary vitamin E intake has not been consistently associated with protection from cataracts. Vitamin E supplements have been reported to protect against cataracts in animals and people, though the evidence remains inconsistent. In one trial, people who took vitamin E supplements had less than half the risk of developing cataracts, compared with others in the five-year study. Doctors typically recommend 400 IU of vitamin E per day as prevention. Smaller amounts (approximately 50 IU per day) have been proven in double-blind research to provide no protection. |
References
1. Kahn HA, Leibowitz HM, Ganley JP, et al. The Framingham Eye Study: I. Outline and major prevalence findings. Am J Epidemiol 1977;106:17-32.
2. Schocket SS, Esterson J, Bradford B, et al. Induction of cataracts in mice by exposure to oxygen. Isr J Med Sci 1972;8:1596-601.
3. Palmquist B, Phillipson B, Barr P. Nuclear cataract and myopia during hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Br J Ophthalmol 1984;68:113-7.
4. Schaumberg DA, Glynn RJ, Christen WG, et al. Relations of body fat distribution and height with cataracts in men. Am J Clin Nutr 2000;72:1495-502.
5. Glynn RJ, Christen WG, Manson JE, et al. Body mass index. An independent predictor of cataract. Arch Ophthalmol 1995;113:1131-7.
6. Hankinson SE, Seddon JM, Colditz GA, et al. A prospective study of aspirin use and cataract extraction in women. Arch Ophthalmol 1993;111:503-8.
7. Hiller R, Podgor MJ, Sperduto RD, et al. A longitudinal study of body mass index and lens opacities. The Framingham Studies. Ophthalmology 1998;105:1244-50.
8. Tavani A, Negri E, La Vecchia C. Selected diseases and risk of cataract in women. A case-control study from northern Italy. Ann Epidemiol 1995;5:234-8.
9. Leske MC, Chylack LT Jr, Wu SY. The Lens Opacities Case-Control Study. Risk factors for cataract. Arch Ophthalmol 1991;109:244-51.
10. Mohan M, Sperduto RD, Angra SK, et al. India-US case-control study of age-related cataracts. India-US Case-Control Study Group. Arch Ophthalmol 1989;107:670-6. [published erratum appears in Arch Ophthalmol 1989;107:1288.]
Last Review: 06-08-2015
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