Dietary and nutritional biomarkers of lens degeneration, oxidative stress and micronutrient inadequacies in Indian cataract patients.

OBJECTIVE

Habitual food and nutrient intakes of 140 Indian cataract patients and 100 age- and sex-matched controls (50-75 years), from high income group and low income groups, were assessed.

METHODS

Food intake was recorded by food frequency questionnaire and data were examined for linkages with blood/lens parameters of oxidative stress through a case-control study.

RESULTS

Intake of animal foods and fried snacks was significantly higher while vegetables, green leafy vegetables, fruit, tea and micronutrient intakes were lower in patients than in controls (p<0.001). Lens oxidative stress and opacity showed a significant negative association with fruit intake (p<0.05). Multiple regression analysis indicated association of intakes of iron, beta-carotene, ascorbic acid, tannic acid and inositol pentaphosphate with plasma oxidative stress (p<0.01) and association of intakes of iron, ascorbic acid and inositol triphosphate with lens oxidative stress (p<0.01). Weighted least square regression for lens opacity revealed that intakes of ascorbic acid, folic acid and inositol pentaphosphate explained 59.7% of the total variation (p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Dietary deficiency of antioxidant micronutrients was greater for patients than controls. Deficiency of beta-carotene, ascorbic acid, folic acid, iron, phytate and polyphenols increased oxidative stress in blood and lens.