Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Cataracts and Free Radicals

SUINING, CHINA - NOVEMBER 22:  A doctor applie...Image by Getty Images via @daylife
Although age is the main risk factor when it comes to developing cataracts, experts are still not sure of the exact mechanisms that link cataract formation so closely with aging. In reality, there are probably a number of factors at play but two of the main contenders appear to be glycation and free radicals - both of which can damage the eye and lead to the development of cataracts. Here we concentrate on free radicals.

Free radicals (also known as oxidants) are the natural bi-products of metabolism. Because a free radical is missing an electron, it is a highly unstable, reactive chemical. In order to stabilise itself it needs to “grab” an electron from another chemical, usually from the nearest stable molecule. However, once the "attacked" molecule loses its electron, it then becomes a free radical itself, and a chain reaction begins.

In a healthy eye, the body is able remove free radicals by delivering "free radical scavengers" (anti-oxidants) to the eyes in the form of nutrients such as vitamin C and glutathione. But if there are not enough anti-oxidants available to combat the free radicals that are being produced, the numbers of free radicals increase and the reactive processes that they cause can be extremely harmful to nearly any type of cell in the body.

Unfortunately, as we age our supply of anti-oxidants naturally decreases, and damage from free radicals begins to accumulate. The formation of senile cataract is one of many destructive changes that can occur as a result.

One way to deal with the problem of aging and free radical damage is to boost the supply of anti-oxidants. And this is where Can-C Eyedrops come into their own. Carnosine Drops, as contained within Can C Eye Drops in the form of N-acetylcarnosine, is known to be a powerful anti-oxidant and as such works as an extremely important weapon in the fight against the free radical damage that can lead to cataracts.

Resource -  Cataracts and Free Radicals
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