Explain how dietary carotenoids and vitamin E may protect ag

Explain how dietary carotenoids and vitamin E may protect against cataracts in the eye.

Solution

First of all, please note that intake of dietary carotenoids and Vitamin E reduces the risk of cataract. They also reduce the risk of progression of cataract. But they are not the treatment of cataract, nor do they ensure that cataract will not occur at all in the patient.

Now, these compounds (carotenoids and vitamin E) give protect the eye lens in two ways:

1. Antioxidant capacity: With ageing the proteins present in eye lens are charred due to reactive oxygen species. Intake of dietary carotenoids and vitamin E enhances antioxidant capacity and protects these proteins, thus prevents cataracts.

2. Filter short wavelength: Studies have indicated that carotenoids are present in eye lens and other tissues of eye. These carotenoids filter harmful blue light to enter the eye. Blue light has short wavelength. These short wave length radiations damage the proteins of eye lens.