Author Interviews, Ophthalmology, Vitamin C / 25.03.2016
Vitamin C Rich Diet, Not Supplements, May Slow Progression of Cataracts
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Christopher J. Hammond, MD, FRCOphth
Departments of Ophthalmology & Twin Research
King's College London
St. Thomas' Hospital
London UK
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Hammond: Twin studies allow us to quantify the influence of genes vs environment on a trait and this study suggests 65% of variation of cataract progression is due to environmental factors.
Vitamin C has long been linked to cataract because the lens of the eye is bathed in fluid rich in ascorbate, a derivative of vitamin C. We showed that, even in a relatively well-nourished UK population, those in the highest third of vitamin C dietary intake (equating to something like 3 times the RDA of 60mg) had a third less progression of lens opacities.
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