Does Beta Carotene Lower Risk of Cataracts?

With regard to my previous post on Beta Carotene, please note that 50 mg supplementation of beta carotene, on alternate days, may lower the risk of cataracts in people who smoke cigarettes.

Study Objective:

“To examine the development of age-related cataract in a trial of beta carotene supplementation in men.”

Study design:

“Randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial. Male US physicians aged 40 to 84 years (n = 22 071) were randomly assigned to receive either beta carotene (50 mg on alternate days) or placebo for 12 years.”

Study conclusions:

“Randomized trial data from a large population of healthy men indicate no overall benefit or harm of 12 years of beta carotene supplementation on cataract or cataract extraction. However, among current smokers at baseline, beta carotene appeared to attenuate their excess risk of cataract by about one fourth.”

Reference:

1. Christen WG, Manson JE, Glynn RJ, Gaziano JM, Sperduto RD, Buring JE, Hennekens CH.  A randomized trial of beta carotene and age-related cataract in US physicians.  Arch Ophthalmol. 2003 Mar;121(3):372-8.

Related posts:

1. Does Beta Carotene Improve Cognitive Function?
2. Oral Beta-Hydroxy-Beta-Methylbutyrate (HMB) and Aerobic Performance
3. Will Potassium Citrate Help to Lower Your Blood Pressure?
4. Does Tomato Lycopene Extract Reduce Cancer Risk?
5. Can You Improve Your Athletic Peformance with Antioxidants?