Condition
Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens that brings blurry vision and glare and can cause vision loss. Lutein and zeaxanthin, plant pigments that gather in the eye, have the strongest evidence, rated moderate: in a study of about 1,800 women, higher levels in the diet and blood went along with less nuclear cataract. That evidence is mostly observational, so it shows an association, not proof.
Sources: PMID 18332316
- Supplements studied
- 4
- Graded outcomes
- 3
- Trials
- 2
- People studied
- 12,583
Evidence by supplement
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuclear Cataract Risk The CAREDS ancillary study of the Women's Health Initiative (PMID:18332316, n≈1,787) found inverse associations between dietary and serum lutein/zeaxanthin and age-related nuclear cataract prevalence. Evidence is primarily observational and the independent contribution of zeaxanthin versus lutein is unclear. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 3 studies | 1,800 people | ||
Studies that measured nuclear cataract risk
| ||||||
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cataract Risk In a rat model of galactose-induced cataract, idebenone (alongside esculetin) ameliorated cataract formation (PMID:32301145). No human studies for cataract prevention. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 3 studies | |||
Vitamin E
- All-Cause Mortality
- Cataract Risk: changes; see studies
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-Cause Mortality No effect | NoneNo effect | 2 studies | 1,038 people | |||
| Cataract Risk | Changes; see studies | 1,038 people | ||||
Vitamin C
- Cataract Risk: changes; see studies
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cataract Risk | Changes; see studies | 1 study | 11,545 people | |||
Studies that measured cataract risk | ||||||
Key findings
- Nuclear Cataract RiskImproves (the measure goes down)
- Cataract RiskImproves (the measure goes down)
- All-Cause Mortality
The Cataract Prevention Support protocol
2 primary supplements · 7 supporting supplements
- Lutein and Zeaxanthin10–20 mg lutein + 2–4 mg zeaxanthin daily
- Vitamin C500–1,000 mg daily
Studies cited
100 studies from PubMed
- Cytoprotective Effect of Idebenone through Modulation of the Intrinsic Mitochondrial Pathway of Apoptosis in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Exposed to Oxidative Stress Induced by Hydrogen Peroxide.
- A pilot study of idebenone in the treatment of patients with hereditary myopathies.
- Leber hereditary optic neuropathy: new and emerging therapies.
- Developments in the Treatment of Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy.
- Therapeutic Potential and Immunomodulatory Role of Coenzyme Q(10) and Its Analogues in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases.
- Coenzyme Q10 effects in neurological diseases.
- Esculetin and idebenone ameliorate galactose-induced cataract in a rat model.
- Idebenone Has Distinct Effects on Mitochondrial Respiration in Cortical Astrocytes Compared to Cortical Neurons Due to Differential NQO1 Activity.
- Idebenone protects mitochondrial function against amyloid beta toxicity in primary cultured cortical neurons.
- Idebenone has preventative and therapeutic effects on pulmonary fibrosis via preferential suppression of fibroblast activity.
- Mitochondrial biogenesis and neural differentiation of human iPSC is modulated by idebenone in a developmental stage-dependent manner.
- Effect of Dietary Supplementation With Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and ω-3 on Macular Pigment: A Randomized Clinical Trial
- Putative protective role of lutein and zeaxanthin in diabetic retinopathy
- The Age-Related Eye Disease 2 Study: Micronutrients in the Treatment of Macular Degeneration
- Both idebenone and idebenol are localized near the lipid-water interface of the membrane and increase its fluidity.
- Pharmacological effect of a new idebenone formulation in a model of carrageenan-induced inflammatory pain.
- Lutein, Zeaxanthin and Meso-zeaxanthin Supplementation Associated with Macular Pigment Optical Density
- Macular carotenoid supplementation improves disability glare performance and dynamics of photostress recovery
- An exploratory study evaluating the effects of macular carotenoid supplementation in various retinal diseases
- Lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin: The basic and clinical science underlying carotenoid-based nutritional interventions against ocular disease
- Zeaxanthin and ocular health, from bench to bedside
- Coenzyme Q10 as a therapy for mitochondrial disease.
- Supplementation with three different macular carotenoid formulations in patients with early age-related macular degeneration
- Review of clinical trials for mitochondrial disorders: 1997-2012.
- Macular lutein and zeaxanthin are related to brain lutein and zeaxanthin in primates
- Antioxidants and other pharmacological treatments for Friedreich ataxia.
- Nanostructured lipid carriers improve skin permeation and chemical stability of idebenone.
- Idebenone-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for drug delivery to the skin: in vitro evaluation.
- The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2): study design and baseline characteristics (AREDS2 report number 1)
- Effect of lutein and zeaxanthin on macular pigment and visual function in patients with early age-related macular degeneration
- A possible role for lutein and zeaxanthin in cognitive function in the elderly
- Idebenone and resveratrol extend lifespan and improve motor function of HtrA2 knockout mice.
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of zeaxanthin and visual function in patients with atrophic age-related macular degeneration: the Zeaxanthin and Visual Function Study (ZVF)
- Pharmacokinetic evaluation of idebenone.
- Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of idebenone in healthy male subjects.
- Low-dose idebenone treatment in Friedreich's ataxia with and without cardiac hypertrophy.
- Antioxidants and other pharmacological treatments for Friedreich ataxia.
- Antioxidant protection against acoustic trauma by coadministration of idebenone and vitamin E.
- Idebenone in Friedreich's ataxia.
- Determination of the antioxidative capacity of an antioxidant complex and idebenone: an in vitro rapid and sensitive method.
- Macular pigment density and age-related maculopathy in the Carotenoids in Age-Related Eye Disease Study
- Associations between age-related nuclear cataract and lutein and zeaxanthin in the diet and serum in the Carotenoids in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study
- Protective properties of idebenone in noise-induced hearing loss in the guinea pig.
- Associations between intermediate age-related macular degeneration and lutein and zeaxanthin in the Carotenoids in Age-related Eye Disease Study (CAREDS)
- Predictors of optical density of lutein and zeaxanthin in retinas of older women in the Carotenoids in Age-Related Eye Disease Study
- Dramatic improvement in mitochondrial cardiomyopathy following treatment with idebenone.
- Antioxidant properties of 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-6-(10-hydroxydecyl)-1,4-benzoquinone (idebenone).
- Influence of vitamin C supplementation on oxidative and immune changes after an ultramarathon
- Ascorbic acid supplementation improves skeletal muscle oxidative stress and insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes: Findings of a randomized controlled study
- Vitamin C may have similar beneficial effects to Gemfibrozil on serum high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in type 2 diabetic patients
- Supplementation of vitamin C reduces blood glucose and improves glycosylated hemoglobin in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, double-blind study
- The effect of vitamin C supplementation on diabetic hyperlipidaemia: a double blind, crossover study
- Unchanged renal haemodynamics following high dose ascorbic acid administration in normoalbuminuric IDDM patients
- Ascorbic acid supplementation improves postprandial glycaemic control and blood pressure in individuals with type 2 diabetes: Findings of a randomized cross-over trial
- Effects of eicosapentaenoic acid and vitamin C on glycemic indices, blood pressure, and serum lipids in type 2 diabetic Iranian males
- Effect of vitamin C on inflammation and metabolic markers in hypertensive and/or diabetic obese adults: a randomized controlled trial
- Does short-term vitamin C reduce cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes?
- Effects of atorvastatin and vitamin C on forearm hyperaemic blood flow, asymmentrical dimethylarginine levels and the inflammatory process in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Effect of vitamin C supplementation on postprandial oxidative stress and lipid profile in type 2 diabetic patients
- High-dose oral vitamin C partially replenishes vitamin C levels in patients with Type 2 diabetes and low vitamin C levels but does not improve endothelial dysfunction or insulin resistance
- Vitamin C and the common cold: a double-blind trial
- Ascorbic acid and the common cold
- Preventing the common cold with a vitamin C supplement: a double-blind, placebo-controlled survey
- Vitamin C and the common cold
- Winter illness and vitamin C: the effect of relatively low doses
- Ascorbic acid for the common cold. A prophylactic and therapeutic trial
- Therapeutic effect of vitamin C. A co-twin control study
- A randomized controlled trial of the therapeutic effect of vitamin C in the common cold
- Vitamin C and the common cold: a second MZ Cotwin control study
- Trial of ascorbic acid in prevention of colds
- Mega-dose vitamin C in treatment of the common cold: a randomised controlled trial
- A controlled clinical trial of ascorbic acid for the common cold
- The effectiveness of vitamin C in preventing and relieving the symptoms of virus-induced respiratory infections
- Vitamin C prophylaxis in marine recruits
- L-Ascorbic acid and D-isoascorbic acid in a common cold survey
- A randomized controlled trial of vitamin C in the prevention and amelioration of the common cold
- Evaluation of the efficacy of ascorbic acid in prophylaxis of induced rhinovirus 44 infection in man
- Vitamin C as a preventive medicine against common colds in children
- Blood ascorbic acid level in bioflavonoid and ascorbic acid therapy of common cold
- A trial of ascorbic acid in the treatment of the common cold
- Ineffectiveness of vitamin C in treating coryza.
- Vitamin C supplementation reduces the odds of developing a common cold in Republic of Korea Army recruits: randomised controlled trial
- Influence of quercetin supplementation on disease risk factors in community-dwelling adults
- Effect of vitamin C supplementation on lipid peroxidation, muscle damage and inflammation after 30-min exercise at 75% VO2max
- The effect of 2 weeks vitamin C supplementation on immunoendocrine responses to 2.5 h cycling exercise in man
- Vitamin C supplementation and salivary immune function following exercise-heat stress
- Influence of vitamin C supplementation on oxidative and salivary IgA changes following an ultramarathon
- The effects of ascorbic acid and flavonoids on the occurrence of symptoms normally associated with the common cold
- The clinical and biochemical effects of vitamin C supplementation in short-stay hospitalized geriatric patients
- Prolonged vitamin C supplementation and recovery from eccentric exercise
- Effects of vitamin E and C supplementation either alone or in combination on exercise-induced lipid peroxidation in trained cyclists
- Influence of acute vitamin C and/or carbohydrate ingestion on hormonal, cytokine, and immune responses to prolonged exercise
- Efficacy of antioxidant treatment in reducing resistin serum levels: a randomized study
- Ascorbic acid prevents vascular dysfunction induced by oral glucose load in healthy subjects
- Vitamin C supplementation lowers urinary levels of 4-hydroperoxy-2-nonenal metabolites in humans
- High dosage of ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol is not useful for diminishing oxidative stress and DNA damage in healthy elderly adults
- Orange juice ingestion and supplemental vitamin C are equally effective at reducing plasma lipid peroxidation in healthy adult women
- Effects of vitamin C supplementation on glycaemic control: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
- The effect of aspirin and vitamins C and E on HbA1c assays
- Megadose of vitamin C delays insulin response to a glucose challenge in normoglycemic adults