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Medical and Science News

 

Vitamin C might prevent cataracts in women

By KATRINA WOZNICKI, UPI Science News

BOSTON, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Women who take vitamin C supplements during their

younger and middle-age years may reduce their chances of cataracts later in

life, according to a new study released Friday.

Researchers led by Allan Taylor of Tufts University in Boston came to that

conclusion after analyzing data from the Nurses Health Study, an on-going

study based on a group of women nurses in the Boston area whose diet,

lifestyle and health status have been followed for the past 26 years.

They looked at 492 non-diabetic study participants ages 53 to 73 and

reviewed their diets, particularly their long-term vitamin supplement

intake, extracted from food questionnaires dating from 1980 up to 1995. All

of the women underwent eye examinations to screen for a variety of

cataracts. Thirty-four percent of the group was found to have cortical

opacities, a type of cataract where the fiber cells of the cortex

deteriorate.

Study results showed that among women age 60 and younger, daily vitamin C

intake from both diet and supplements during the previous 13 to 15 years of

the woman's life significantly minimized the chances of developing that one

type of cataract.

Among women younger than 60, consumption of 362 milligrams daily of vitamin

C was linked with a 57 percent drop in cortical opacities. Routine use of

vitamin C supplements for at least a decade was associated with an overall

60 percent reduction in cataracts when compared to no vitamin supplement

use.

Researchers also found women who never smoked and had high intakes of the

nutrients folate and carotenoids also showed a reduction in cataracts.

The findings suggest certain nutrients, when taken consistently and

regularly throughout life, could potentially decrease the chances of one of

the most common age-related conditions.

The study is published in Friday's issue of American Journal of Clinical

Nutrition.

" I think it makes sense vitamin C and other antioxidants might have a

protective effect in terms of cataracts, " Dr. Ronald Plotnik, an associate

professor of ophthalmology at the University of Rochester in Rochester,

N.Y., told United Press International.

Previous research, Plotnik explained, suggested harmful molecules called

free radicals, could contribute to the development of cataracts. Vitamin C,

a potent antioxidant, disarms free radicals.

However, experts said these findings do not apply to the majority of elderly

people who have cataracts and caution them from rushing to the health food

stores for supplements.

" Bear in mind the largest group, the AARP (American Association for Retired

Persons) crowd, they're all going to think, 'let's go get vitamin C,' " Dr.

Dwight Cavanagh, vice chairman of the ophthalmology department at the

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, told UPI.

" There's no magic bullet here with vitamins. "

Cavanagh pointed out the findings only applied to a small group of women and

might not applyto the millions who suffer from cataracts. He also warned

people against overdosing on vitamin C. Too much can lead to kidney stones,

he said. " Vitamin C is not an innocuous vitamin. "

(Reported by Katrina Woznicki in Washington)

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Copyright 2002 by United Press International

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