Evidence supporting the use of: Carotenoid
For the health condition: Cataracts

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Carotenoids, particularly lutein and zeaxanthin, are pigments found in leafy green vegetables and other foods. There is moderate scientific evidence supporting their role in supporting eye health, specifically regarding cataracts. Cataracts involve the clouding of the eye’s lens, and oxidative stress is a known contributing factor in their development. Carotenoids are antioxidants, and they accumulate in the lens and retina, where they are thought to protect ocular tissues from oxidative damage caused by light exposure and aging.

Epidemiological studies have observed an association between higher dietary intake (or blood levels) of lutein and zeaxanthin and a reduced risk of cataract development or progression. For example, a 2008 review in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that increased consumption of these carotenoids is linked to a lower risk of age-related cataracts. Randomized controlled trials, such as those referenced in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2), found that supplementation with lutein and zeaxanthin may offer some benefit in slowing the progression of cataracts, although the results are not universally strong or consistent.

While the evidence does not conclusively prove that carotenoids prevent or treat cataracts, the biological plausibility, observational data, and some interventional studies provide moderate support for their use in this context. Thus, their use is justified by scientific evidence, though not at the highest level of certainty.

More about Carotenoid
More about Cataracts

Products containing Carotenoid

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.