BACKGROUND: Dietary antioxidants, including carotenoids, are hypothesized to decrease the risk of age-related cataracts by preventing oxidation of proteins or lipids within the lens. However, prospective epidemiologic data concerning this phenomenon are limited. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to examine prospectively the association between carotenoid and vitamin A intakes and cataract extraction in men. DESIGN: US male health professionals (n = 36644) who were 45-75 y of age in 1986 were included in this prospective cohort study. Others were subsequently included as they became 45 y of age. A detailed dietary questionnaire was used to assess intake of carotenoids and other nutrients. During 8 y of follow-up, 840 cases of senile cataract extraction were documented. RESULTS: We observed a modestly lower risk of cataract extraction in men with higher intakes of lutein and zeaxanthin but not of other carotenoids (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, and beta-cryptoxanthin) or vitamin A after other potential risk factors, including age and smoking, were controlled for. Men in the highest fifth of lutein and zeaxanthin intake had a 19% lower risk of cataract relative to men in the lowest fifth (relative risk: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.65, 1.01; P for trend = 0.03). Among specific foods high in carotenoids, broccoli and spinach were most consistently associated with a lower risk of cataract. CONCLUSIONS: Lutein and zeaxanthin may decrease the risk of cataracts severe enough to require extraction, although this relation appears modest in magnitude. The present findings add support for recommendations to consume vegetables and fruit high in carotenoids daily.
BACKGROUND: Dietary antioxidants, including carotenoids, are hypothesized to decrease the risk of age-related cataracts by preventing oxidation of proteins or lipids within the lens. However, prospective epidemiologic data concerning this phenomenon are limited. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to examine prospectively the association between carotenoid and vitamin A intakes and cataract extraction in men. DESIGN: US male health professionals (n = 36644) who were 45-75 y of age in 1986 were included in this prospective cohort study. Others were subsequently included as they became 45 y of age. A detailed dietary questionnaire was used to assess intake of carotenoids and other nutrients. During 8 y of follow-up, 840 cases of senile cataract extraction were documented. RESULTS: We observed a modestly lower risk of cataract extraction in men with higher intakes of lutein and zeaxanthin but not of other carotenoids (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, and beta-cryptoxanthin) or vitamin A after other potential risk factors, including age and smoking, were controlled for. Men in the highest fifth of lutein and zeaxanthin intake had a 19% lower risk of cataract relative to men in the lowest fifth (relative risk: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.65, 1.01; P for trend = 0.03). Among specific foods high in carotenoids, broccoli and spinach were most consistently associated with a lower risk of cataract. CONCLUSIONS: Lutein and zeaxanthin may decrease the risk of cataracts severe enough to require extraction, although this relation appears modest in magnitude. The present findings add support for recommendations to consume vegetables and fruit high in carotenoids daily.
Authors: Tanya S Glaser; Lauren E Doss; Grace Shih; Divya Nigam; Robert D Sperduto; Frederick L Ferris; Elvira Agrón; Traci E Clemons; Emily Y Chew Journal: Ophthalmology Date: 2015-05-09 Impact factor: 12.079
Authors: Joanna M S Davies; Josiane Cillard; Bertrand Friguet; Enrique Cadenas; Jean Cadet; Rachael Cayce; Andrew Fishmann; David Liao; Anne-Laure Bulteau; Frédéric Derbré; Amélie Rébillard; Steven Burstein; Etienne Hirsch; Robert A Kloner; Michael Jakowec; Giselle Petzinger; Delphine Sauce; Florian Sennlaub; Isabelle Limon; Fulvio Ursini; Matilde Maiorino; Christina Economides; Christian J Pike; Pinchas Cohen; Anne Negre Salvayre; Matthew R Halliday; Adam J Lundquist; Nicolaus A Jakowec; Fatima Mechta-Grigoriou; Mathias Mericskay; Jean Mariani; Zhenlin Li; David Huang; Ellsworth Grant; Henry J Forman; Caleb E Finch; Patrick Y Sun; Laura C D Pomatto; Onnik Agbulut; David Warburton; Christian Neri; Mustapha Rouis; Pierre Cillard; Jacqueline Capeau; Jean Rosenbaum; Kelvin J A Davies Journal: Geroscience Date: 2017-12-21 Impact factor: 7.713
Authors: Eliot L Berson; Bernard Rosner; Michael A Sandberg; Carol Weigel-DiFranco; Robert J Brockhurst; K C Hayes; Elizabeth J Johnson; Ellen J Anderson; Chris A Johnson; Alexander R Gaudio; Walter C Willett; Ernst J Schaefer Journal: Arch Ophthalmol Date: 2010-04