The #1 Best Way to Prevent Cataracts

By rjoachim | February 1, 2023
Cataracts are a leading cause of blindness in the United States. There’s no sure-fire way to prevent them, but making some lifestyle changes might lower your odds of getting them.Some research shows that eating foods high in antioxidants like vitamins C and E may help prevent cataracts. If you already have cataracts, it may slow their growth.Good sources of vitamin C include:
Citrus (oranges, grapefruit, limes, etc.)
Tomatoes and tomato juice
Red and green peppers
Kiwifruit
Broccoli
Strawberries
Brussels sprouts
Cantaloupe
Potatoes
For vitamin E, look to vegetable oils like sunflower, safflower, or wheat germ. Nuts, especially almonds, are also good sources of vitamin E. So are peanuts. So are green veggies like spinach and broccoli. Some foods — maybe even your favorite breakfast cereal — contain extra vitamin E. Check the info on the package to be sure.Five servings can provide more than 100 milligrams of vitamin C and 5 to 6 milligrams of lutein and zeaxanthin. Just two servings of nuts can provide 8 to 14 milligrams of vitamin E. If you find it tough to fit all of this into your daily diet, consider multivitamins or supplements. But always talk to your doctor first.Smoking creates more free radicals in your eyes. These are chemicals that harm cells. Antioxidants — all those good chemicals that you get from fruits and vegetables — fight the bad chemicals. But smoking kills off the good chemicals. And it produces a lot of toxins that can cause cataracts.
If you kick the habit, it may help prevent cataracts, even if you’ve smoked a lot of cigarettes over a long period of time. Talk to your doctor about programs and medications that can help you quit.
If you don’t smoke, don’t start.
https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/cataracts/how-can-i-prevent-cataracts
Posted in Health & Wellness