Herbs and Supplements with Antioxidants for the Prevention of Cataracts
The lens of the eye is normally clear but when cataracts develop the vision becomes cloudy.
It’s estimated that over 20% of the world’s population has cataracts.
Cataracts develop because of oxidative damage. Many factors have been linked to the development of cataracts including smoking, people with diabetes, heavy metal poisoning and long-term steroid use.
Taking antioxidants can help prevent cataracts by combating the oxidative damage. Antioxidants work to neutralize free radicals. Free radicals are renegade oxygen molecules that cause a lot of damage to the body.
The best antioxidants are vitamin’s A, C and E. Other antioxidants are flavonoids and the mineral selenium. The trace minerals magnesium and manganese may also play a role in the prevention of cataract development. Enzymes that contain magnesium and manganese help get rid of proteins that have been damaged by oxidation. If these damaged proteins aren’t discarded from the body they lead to the formation of cataracts. Mint plants like catnip contain these trace minerals and flavonoids that can help prevent cataracts.
Berries like bilberries, blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, raspberries, grapes, plums and huckleberries have been shown to aid vision. They contain anthocyanosides that contributes to sharpened vision. Many of these berries can now be found in standardized extracts, but it wouldn’t hurt to eat a lot of fruit salads with these berries mixed in.
Rosemary is a member of the mint family like catnip and contains several antioxidants. It can be used in cooking and goes well with chicken and potatoes.
Brazil nuts contain a good amount of vitamin E, one of the most important antioxidants, and the mineral selenium, a vitamin E booster. Try adding some brazil nuts to a fruit and berry salad for a daily treat.
Carrots have been attributed to keen vision in rabbits for years. We often thought it was just a folk tale or a good antic for cartoons. Carrots contain carotenoids, which have been shown to be beneficial in the fight against cancer, cardiovascular disease and cataracts. Eating orange, yellow and dark green leafy vegetables each day can give you enough carotenoids to stave off these ailments.
You can add onions, purslane, turmeric, capers and ginger to a lot of your cooking to give your food flavor and help fight in the prevention of cataracts.
Eating whole foods and lots of fresh vegetables should be a part of your daily diet, especially if you want to be healthier, live longer and retain your vision as you grow old.
