The key vitamins for cataract

​What is CATARACT? The eye's inner lens is made up of billions of living cells. When we get older, these cells start to die. Cataract is simply the buildup of dead cells, yellow-brown pigment on the lens, causing clouding of the lens and decreased vision. The symptoms include hazy vision that is worse at night, uncomfortable glare from headlights or bright sunlight, a need for bright light while reading, seeing colors that appear yellow or fading, a milky white appearance to the pupil, painful pressure within the eye, and double or triple vision in one eye. The causes of cataract can be ultraviolet light, toxic waste products, and low nutrients level in the body. What are the nutrients that can help preventing cataract? VITAMIN A protects your eyes and allow them to function properly and efficiently. A lack of vitamin A can lead to night blindness, nearsightedness, and even glaucoma. Foods that contain high vitamin A are carrots, cantaloupe, sweet red peppers, dried apricots, kale, sweet potatoes. VITAMIN C is antioxidant, helps protect cells from damage due to aging. Foods that contain high vitamin C are lemons, oranges, kiwi, green peppers, brussels sprouts. VITAMIN E is antioxidant and, in some cases, stopped the progression of cataract. Foods that contain high vitamin E are almonds, sunflower seeds, pecans, wheat germ. Lutein and zeaxanthin help protect from eye damage caused by sunlight, cigarette smoke, air pollution, by absorbing into the lens and retina of your eye. They reduce the risk of cataract. Foods that are high in lutein and zeaxanthin are dark green leafy vegetables like kale, broccoli, spinach, kiwi, grapes.

Some research on long term nutrition, found that there was a decrease in the incidence of cataracts in patients taking appropriate VITAMIN A and VITAMIN E supplements.

​References Lee, John R. Optimal Health Guidelines. BLL Publishing, 1999.