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Vitamin C: Benefits To Eye Health

The document discusses the benefits of vitamin C for eye health. It states that vitamin C may lower the risk of cataracts and slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration when taken with other nutrients. It provides recommendations for daily vitamin C intake and lists good food sources of vitamin C.

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53 views3 pages

Vitamin C: Benefits To Eye Health

The document discusses the benefits of vitamin C for eye health. It states that vitamin C may lower the risk of cataracts and slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration when taken with other nutrients. It provides recommendations for daily vitamin C intake and lists good food sources of vitamin C.

Uploaded by

biotech_vidhya
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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4/7/2014 Vitamin C

http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/diet-and-nutrition/vitamin-c 1/3
Home > Patients & Public > Caring for Your Vision > Diet & Nutrition > Vitamin C
Vitamin C

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an
antioxidant found in fruits and
vegetables. Scientific evidence
suggests vitamin C lowers the risk of
developing cataracts, and when
taken in combination with other
essential nutrients, can slow the
progression of age-related macular
degeneration (AMD) and visual
acuity loss.AMD and cataract
incidence are growing. Worldwide, more than 25 million people are affected
by age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and the formation of cataracts.
AMD is the leading cause of blindness in people over age 55 in the Western
world and the incidence is expected to triple by 2025. Smoking, diabetes and
the use of steroids are all risk factors for cataract formation as they all
deplete the eye's lens of vitamin C.
Benefits to Eye Health
Vitamin C helps to promote healthy capillaries, gums, teeth, cartilage and the
absorption of iron. Virtually all cells of the body depend on it, including those
of the eye where it is actively concentrated in all tissues. Vitamin C also
supports the health of ocular blood vessels. Our bodies do not synthesize the
vitamin C needed, which is the reason citrus fruits and juices are essential to
good nutrition. Daily intake of vitamin C through diet, nutritional supplements,
or fortified foods and beverages is important for the maintenance of good eye
health.
Vitamin C and Cataracts
Numerous studies have linked vitamin C intake and ocular health. A study
demonstrated that women using vitamin C for 10 years or more experienced a
64 percent reduction in the risk of developing nuclear cataracts.
Researchers estimate that half of cataract-related surgeries could be averted
by delaying the onset of cataracts for 10 years.
Other research showed that women taking a daily supplementation dosage of
364 mg experienced a 57 percent reduction in their risk of certain types of
cataracts. The research concluded that periods shorter than 10 years are
4/7/2014 Vitamin C
http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/diet-and-nutrition/vitamin-c 2/3
Discover great recipes rich in Vitamin C
insufficient to measure the influence of vitamin C upon cataract formation.
Therefore, a 300 mg/day intake of vitamin C appears to be the minimum point
at which cataract prevention occurs.
Vitamin C and Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), sponsored by the National
Eye Institute, was a landmark study that established AMD as a nutrition-
responsive disorder. The study showed that a 500 mg/day intake of vitamin
C, taken with antioxidants beta-carotene, vitamin E and zinc supplementation,
slows the progression of advanced age-related macular degeneration by
about 25 percent and visual acuity loss by 19 percent in individuals at high-
risk for the disease. Emerging science, consisting of the AREDS results and
seven smaller studies, have confirmed these results.
Daily Intake*
The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has
established a dietary
reference intake (DRI) for
vitamin C of 90 mg/day for
males and 75 mg/day for
females. It has long been
recognized that people under
stress require more vitamin C
than the recommended daily
allowance. These groups
include smokers, alcoholics,
diabetics, pregnant or breast
feeding women, older adults,
athletes and people with
chronic diseases who
experience environmental
stress from heat, cold, or radiation. There is little scientifically documented
risk in taking higher doses of vitamin C, except for incurring diarrhea.
The USDA Nutrient Database offers comprehensive
information on raw and prepared foods.
Food Sources
Vitamin C is found almost exclusively in fruits and vegetables, including citrus
fruits such as oranges, lemons, grapefruit and limes. The table above lists
foods known to be high in vitamin C antioxidants. If you are not getting
enough vitamin C through diet alone, consider adding one of the widely
available vitamin C supplements to your daily routine. However, always
consult with a health care professional before beginning a supplementation
regiment.
4/7/2014 Vitamin C
http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/diet-and-nutrition/vitamin-c 3/3
Get Connected
REFERENCES
*At this time, the AOA is unaware of any studies that hav e examined interactions between medications and v itamin C.
The AOA also is not aware of any adv erse health reports f rom interactions between medications and v itamin C.
Howev er, the AOA recommends consulting with a health care prof essional bef ore beginning any supplementation
regiment.
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2014 American Optometric Association

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