Cataracts are opacities that form in the lenses of your eyes. A cataract results from degenerative changes in your lens, which is a multi-layered, elastic structure situated at the front of your eye, just behind your pupil. When your lens becomes clouded, it does not allow light to pass cleanly through, and your vision grows blurry. Glare from bright lights, such as automobile headlights, also becomes troublesome. Some foods and spices, such as curcumin, may help prevent cataracts. Consult your doctor for more information.
Causes
Cataracts become more common as you age, suggesting that long-term oxidative damage plays a role in their development. This is borne out by observations that cataracts are more common in people whose eyes are exposed to factors that increase oxidation, such as smoking, diabetes, alcohol, ultraviolet light and physical trauma. A study published in the July 2005 issue of "Molecular Vision" suggests that proteins called alpha-crystallin and heat shock protein help maintain the clarity of your lenses; oxidation of alpha-crystallin contributes to cataract formation.
Curcumin
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, turmeric has been used for centuries as a spice and as a medicinal agent to treat arthritis, improve digestion and regulate menstruation. More recently, turmeric has been employed in folk medicine for a variety of conditions, including ulcers, skin diseases, gallstones, heartburn and cancer. Curcumin, the bright yellow pigment found in turmeric, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-tumor properties in tissue culture and animal studies, but it has not been shown to prevent or cure any medical condition.
Prevention
No controlled studies have been conducted to evaluate the effects of curcumin in preventing cataracts in humans. However, several animal studies have been completed, mostly in India, where curcumin is employed by Ayurvedic physicians. These investigations show that curcumin exhibits anti-cataract effects. In February 2011, Indian scientists demonstrated that curcumin preserved the integrity of alpha-crystallin in rat lenses and reduced the formation of cataracts in animals exposed to cataract-promoting chemicals.
Considerations
Curcumin has traditionally been used to treat an array of medical conditions, but there is insufficient scientific evidence to show that it is useful for preventing or curing any of these disorders. Animal and tissue culture studies demonstrate that curcumin possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer properties. Its ability to suppress oxidation of important proteins in the lenses of rat's eyes suggests a role for curcumin in slowing the development of cataracts. However, the doses or length of time needed for you to enjoy any such benefit is unknown. Ask your doctor if curcumin is appropriate for you.
References
- "Molecular Vision"; Modulation of α-crystalline Chaperone Activity in Diabetic Rat Lens by Curcumin; P.A. Kumar, et al.; April 2005
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Turmeric
- "Molecular Vision"; Effects of Curcumin on the Modulation of αA- and αB-Crystallin and Heat Shock Protein 70 in Selenium-Induced Cataractogenesis in Wistar Rat Pups; R. Manikandan, et al.; February 2011
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