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Dark, Leafy Greens Help Shield Eyes from
Cataracts
(NY, Reuters Health, 12/3/04)
Dr. Joshua A. Bomser and his associates at Ohio State
University in Columbus, cultivated human lens cells in a
lab, then added lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin E, or nothing.
Since cataracts occur when proteins in the eye's lens clump
together and research suggests that increased exposure to
sunlight raises the risk, the investigators exposed the
cells to ultraviolet (UV) rays to mimic sunlight. The
scientists found that there was not as much damage to the
cells treated with lutein and zeaxanthin. These findings
suggest that ingesting foods high in lutein and zeaxanthin—like
collard greens, kale, spinach, turnip greens and
broccoli—may help protect eyes from cataracts.
(Journal of Nutrition, December 2004) |
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