Animal Wellness Article - Preventing Cataracts

Our co-founder recently contributed to Animal Wellness Magazine. If you do not buy or subscribe to this excellent magazine then you are missing out on some very good reading.

Please find an excerpt from the article below.

Preventing Cataracts

Recent studies have shown that nutrition plays and important role in preventing or delaying cataracts. It has been observed that certain natural antioxidants given to older humans and animals (dogs in particular) reduced age related cataracts. It has been generally agreed that the nutritional goals of humans should be shared with our pets.

In humans a high intake of fruit and vegetables has a protective effect on cataract. High intake of sugar and high glycemic carbohydrates increases the risk for cataracts. The Glycemic Index, or GI, refers to how quickly a food causes blood sugar to rise. High GI foods, like white bread, pasta, and potatoes, tend to cause a quick surge or a peak in blood sugar, while low-GI foods, such as pulses and many high-fiber grains, create a more gradual increase in blood sugar.

Those who eat lots of yellow or dark leafy vegetables, as well as foods rich in vitamin E, reduce their risk of developing cataracts. Higher intakes of vitamin C or the combined intake of antioxidants had long-term protective associations against development of cataract.

With this information in mind a recommended dose for pets with cataracts is 50 IU of vitamin E for every 10 pounds of weight once a day – add it to your pet's food. For vitamin C, give 100 mgs twice per day for every 10 pounds of weight. If possible use powdered vitamin C and add it to food. Vitamin C can cause diarrhoea so proceed with caution!

Add vegetables like carrots, kale and other green and yellow vegetables to your pets diet.

Try protecting your pet’s eyes with bilberries. The antioxidant qualities of bilberries protect the tissue of the eye, especially when used in supplement form. In a human study, Italian researchers found that bilberry mixed with vitamin E stopped lens clouding in a large percentage of people with early stage cataracts. Mix 50 mgs in your pet's food every day.

One of the most exciting breakthroughs in recent years has been the development of Can-C eye drops for humans and dogs. These natural, lubricating eye drops contain the super-antioxidant N-acetylcarnosine which has been clinically proven to reverse cataract and prevent cataract formation. Can-C eye drops are a specific formulation which work in the part of the eye where needed to clear away age accumulated damage, thus leaving the eye free to begin self-healing.