Selenium Involved In The Production Of Glutathione

Keep Your Eyes Fit and Young, Part II: Selenium is a mineral involved in the body's production of glutathione peroxide, another protective enzyme found in the eye. This enzyme is an antioxidant, and is important in DNA and protein synthesis. It affects retinal vessel proliferation, retinal vessels and tissue elasticity. A lack of it can increase the severity of a cataract and cause hemolytic problems. Additionally, glutathione, a naturally occurring compound in the lens of the eye, is an important enzyme that helps prevent the formation of cataracts.

Brazil Nuts: A Good Source Of Selenium

Glutathione supplements pills benefit and side effects:

Brazil nuts: an effective way to improve selenium status.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2008.
We investigated the efficacy of Brazil
nuts in increasing
selenium status in comparison with selenomethionine. Participants consumed 2 Brazil nuts thought to provide approximately 100 mug Selenium, 100 mug Selenium as selenomethionine, or placebo daily for 12 wk. Actual intake from nuts averaged 53 mug Selenium /d (possible range: 20-84 mug Se). Plasma selenium and plasma and whole blood glutathione peroxidase activities were measured at baseline and at 2, 4, 8, and 12 wk, and effects of treatments were
compared. Plasma selenium increased by 64%, 61%, and 7%; plasma glutathione peroxidase by 8%, 3%, and -1%; and whole blood glutathione peroxidase by 13%, 5%, and 1.9% in the Brazil nut, selenomethionine, and placebo groups, respectively. Consumption of 2 Brazil nuts daily is as effective for increasing selenium status and enhancing glutathione peroxidase activity as 100 mug Se as selenomethionine. Inclusion of this high-selenium food in the diet could avoid the need for fortification or supplements to improve the selenium status of New Zealanders.

Lutein And Zeaxanthin Intake Is Inversely Related To The Risk For Senile Cataract

Molecular Vision: Lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation reduces H2O2-induced oxidative damage in human lens epithelial cells:

Epidemiological studies suggest that dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin is inversely related to the risk for senile cataract.

Conclusions: These data indicate that lutein or zeaxanthin supplementation protects lens protein,
lipid, and DNA from oxidative damage and improves intracellular
redox status upon oxidative stress. The protective effects are
comparable to that of α-tocopherol, except that lutein and
zeaxanthin cannot compensate for GSH depletion. The data imply
that sufficient intake of lutein and zeaxanthin may reduce the
risk for senile cataract via protecting the lens from oxidative
damage.

Vitamin C. Protecting Aging Eyes

Kale, Collards And Spinach Beat Carrots For Protecting Aging Eyes | ENCOGNITIVE.COM: Vitamin C. Researchers from San Francisco reviewed government surveys and found that people with high blood levels of vitamin C were much less likely to have cataracts. Another study showed that people who took C supplements for 10 years or more had 77% fewer "early" cataracts and 83% fewer moderate cataracts.

Kale, Collards And Spinach Protecting Aging Eyes

Kale, Collards And Spinach Beat Carrots For Protecting Aging Eyes | ENCOGNITIVE.COM:

They then zeroed in on lutein and zeaxanthin, found in dark greens like kale and spinach, because these two carotenoids are concentrated in the yellowish macular pigment of the retina. As antioxidants, lutein and zeaxanthin help defend the retina against free radicals plus help maintain blood vessels in the macula. They also filter out blue light, which researchers believe is the most damaging to eyesight.