Posted on 12/03/2004 10:10:23 PM PST by NormsRevenge
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - New research provides further evidence that substances in kale, spinach and other green vegetables help protect aging eyes from cataracts.
In an experiment, investigators found that human eye cells treated with antioxidants called lutein and zeaxanthin showed less damage after being exposed to ultraviolet rays, the sunlight ingredient considered a major contributor to cataracts.
Cataracts occur when proteins in the eye's lens begin to clump together, forming a milky cloud that obscures vision. Currently, around 20 million Americans have cataracts, and research suggests that the more sunlight you are exposed to in life, the greater your risk.
It's hard to say how much of each antioxidant people should get in their diets, given that little is known about how antioxidants in the bloodstream reach the eyes, study author Dr. Joshua A. Bomser told Reuters Health.
"While the specific experiments haven't been done...we know generally: eat more fruits and vegetables," he said.
Foods that contain particularly high doses of lutein and zeaxanthin include kale, collard greens, broccoli, turnip greens and spinach.
Bomser explained that there is ample evidence to suggest that people who eat a lot of fruits and vegetables seem to have a lower risk of age-related cataracts.
To investigate why, Bomser and his colleagues at Ohio State University in Columbus grew human lens cells in a laboratory, then added lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin E, or left the cells alone. The researchers then exposed the eye cells to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, in order to mimic the effect of sunlight.
In an interview, Bomser explained that lens cells mixed with lutein and zeaxanthin showed significantly less damage following UV-exposure than cells that had no shielding from antioxidants.
And although vitamin E appeared to offer some protection from UV rays, it was surpassed by both lutein and zeaxanthin, he and his colleagues note in the Journal of Nutrition.
However, other research shows that both vitamins E and C appear to protect body cells from damage from free radicals, which are a normal byproduct of metabolism, Bomser noted.
He added that it's always better to eat antioxidant-rich foods than supplements, in order to get the benefits of other healthy substances present in foods. However, barring that, research does suggest that people can also benefit from taking lutein and zeaxanthin supplements, Bomser said.
SOURCE: Journal of Nutrition, December 2004.
But they're so hard to see through.
Your tagline says it all. ... lol
Now if they could just manufacture a kale beer.
LOGLOFLHHO (Little ole ganny laying on the floor laughing her hiney off)
gRanny
You rang?
ping
Collard greens with a chunk of ham.
Mmmm good.
FoR all the hours we spend at the screens, this seemed like a post that might help enhance folks abilities to keep their eyes working smoothly.
Leafy greens tend to make my eyes turn red.
Do we need to apply the vegetables directly to our eyes while our eyes are in laboratory dishes?
Kale needs to be cooked long enough. A lot of people undercook it. It's really good cooked until tender, chopped up small, and stirred into mashed potatoes along with some fried onions.
Also, homegrown kale is much more tender. Of course!
No, consuming them as part of a balanced diet will work just fine.
I need to eat more greens myself. I used to , but I haven't had a garden in years and rarely cook them like I used to.
I'm glad you posted this article. I love greens, and in my 50s I can feel my vision going down the drain, so to speak.
So, uptick in the consumption of greens!
My husband eats ONLY corn. ONLY.
I wonder if I send him a copy of this article....naaaaaa....
The kids and I discovered, almost 6 years ago when he had his open heart surgery and was in the bedroom napping, that the food processor running and smashing up spinach...well, let's say we hid that stuff in all sorts of Italian foods. And he never knew it.
Now? He's either traveling, or at home..and MIGHTY nosey if he hears something like that....
Oh well. We did our best.
I love asparagus, too. I know it's not AS dark...but boy, that stuff is good.
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