Vitamin E intake and risk of cataracts in humans.
Experimental evidence suggests that oxidative stress due to the accumulation of free radicals plays a role in the pathogenesis of cataracts and that the process can be prevented or ameliorated by antioxidants. In addition, a recent study found that cataract patients tended to have lower serum levels of vitamins C, E, or carotenoids than did control subjects. This investigation, which compared the self-reported consumption of supplementary vitamins by 175 cataract patients with that of 175 individually matched, cataract-free subjects, revealed that the latter group used significantly more supplementary vitamins C and E (p = 0.01 and 0.004, respectively). Inasmuch as the observed reduction in risk of cataracts was at least 50%, a randomized, controlled trial of vitamin supplementation in cataract prevention seems justified.
Robertson
J M
JM
Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Donner
A P
AP
Trevithick
J R
JR
D000368:Aged; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D013662:Tea; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D013662:Tea; D014810:Vitamin E; D001205:Ascorbic Acid