PEEPER KEEPER People whose diets are rich in the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin and get the most vitamin E from diet and supplements are less likely to develop cataracts. That’s what Harvard researchers with the women’s Health study found after following more than35000 women for 10 year.

The women with the highest dietary intakes of the carotenoids were 18% less likely to develop cataracts, those getting the most vitamin E were 14% less likely. Experts believe that antioxidants like carotenoids and E can protected against free radical damage in the lens of the eyes.

Fruits and vegetables, particularly leafy greens like spinach, seem to offer the most dietary protection. However, overall protection was highest in those getting carotenoids and E from a combination and supplements.

Because safety questions surround vitamin E supplement form experts recommend consulting your doctor before taking more than what’s in a basic multi. But do get E from oils, nuts and seeds.
 

SKIP DESSERT… Limiting or avoiding sugary foods and beverages may help raise HDL (“good”) cholesterol and lower triglycerides (fats in the blood). In a recent multi-ethnic Canadian study, people who consumed the most of these foods had lower HDL and higher triglycerides than those who consumed the least other factors (such weight, age, and calorie intake) were taken into consideration. This confirms previous studies, and the researchers suggested it may help explain why South Asians, who consumed the most sugary foods in this study. Tend to have lower HDL. Bread, rice, potatoes, and glycolic index (a measure of the effect of carbohydrates on blood sugar) were not related to HDL levels. ...AND HAVE A HANDFUL in other heart news eating berries daily can benefit your ticket in three ways. Finnish researchers added berries twice a day to the diets of 72 middle-aged men and women with cardiovascular risk factors. After eight weeks, tests showed lower blood pressure, higher high-density lipoproteins (HDLs, the “good” cholesterol) and less platelet aggregation, potentially preventing blood clots. Berries are rich in naturally occurring polyphenpols. Which the researcher’s credit for the beneficial effects.