A prospective study of carotenoid intake and risk of cataract extraction in US men.
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.


METHODS
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.
Brown
L
L
Departments of Epidemiology, Nutrition, and Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA. lisa.brown@channing.harvard.edu
Rimm
E B
EB
Seddon
J M
JM
Giovannucci
E L
EL
Chasan-Taber
L
L
Spiegelman
D
D
Willett
W C
WC
Hankinson
S E
SE
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D001937:Brassica / Q000502:physiology; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000502:physiology; D002386:Cataract / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D004034:Diet Surveys; D006801:Humans; D014975:Lutein / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking; D018724:Spinacia oleracea / Q000502:physiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000502:physiology; D024341:Xanthophylls; D065146:Zeaxanthins; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000502:physiology
D024341:Xanthophylls; D065146:Zeaxanthins; D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D002338:Carotenoids; D014975:Lutein