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Can alternative medicine cure my cataracts?

 In health, the lens in the eye is composed of a transparent, jelly-like material that is rich in protein. Over time, the protein in the lens may become damaged, causing it to become cloudy.

This process is similar to the change when an egg white is cooked: while a raw egg white is transparent, it becomes opaque when the protein within it is damaged during the cooking process. The damage to the lens that can ultimately lead to cataract formation is caused by destructive molecules known as free radicals. Quenching free radicals is believed to be a key to reducing cataract risk.

Free radicals are neutralised in the body by substances known as antioxidants. Some antioxidants are manufactured within the body, but many come directly from the food we eat. Research has found that consuming foods rich in antioxidants known as carotenoids may protect against cataract development.

While beta-carotene is perhaps the best-known carotenoid, its less celebrated relatives lutein (pronounced loo-teen) and zeaxanthin (pronounced zee-ah-zanthin). They are believed to have a special role to play in terms of combating free radical damage in the eye.

One food that is rich in both lutein and zeaxanthin is spinach. In one study, spinach was the food most consistently associated with a reduced cataract risk, and it might help you to include plenty of this in your diet. Other vegetables that are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin include leeks, peas, and cos lettuce.

While the right diet certainly has a role to play in preserving the health of the eyes, there is also evidence that supplementation with antioxidants such as vitamins C and E can help too.

One study showed that individuals taking a multivitamin and mineral containing either or both of these nutrients for 10 years or more enjoyed a 60 per cent reduction in risk of cataract. Another study found that taking vitamin C supplements for at least a decade reduced the risk of cataract development by 70 per cent. Supplementing with 500 mg of vitamin C each day might also help you in the long term.

Finally, I recommend that you take a supplement called Eye Support. This supplement has been specifically formulated to help in the treatment of many eye conditions including cataract and may help to stop further deterioration of your vision.

It contains a blend of nutrients which have a beneficial effect on the eye including the vitamins B2 and E, the mineral zinc, bilberry, and lutein. Take one capsule, twice a day. You can get this by mail order on 020 8795 3730.