Re: Oil type and risk of cataracts

May 25, 2005 2 Replies

montygram wrote: :: Look at the details - they are talking "associations." The :: underlying mechanism for catardacts is free radical damage, and that :: has been known for a long time now. Omega 3s and 6s are very :: susceptible to free radical degradation, and Eskimos on "traditional :: diets" (high in omega 3s) do have eye problems related to free :: radical damage, so these people are no aware of the literature that :: is directly related to their studies.



Eskimos also eat very little vegetables, fruits and berries which contain eye-protective antioxidants. Lutein and zeaxanthin are very important for preserving health of eyes. So it is not quite as simple as you state.


Eskimo (Inuit) are also exposed to vastly brighter light levels than those surrounded by vegetation.

True enough, and that can exacerbate the problem, but if the underlying mechanism is free radical mediated, as the evidence overwhelmingly demonstrates, then it's rather stupid to tell people to eat fatty acids that are very susceptible to in vivo lipid peroxidation, isn't it? Basic biochemistry.

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