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Section Two The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, March 26, 1997 Page 15 I i ! i \ .5 'I Vitamin C Protects Against Cataracts Epidemiological studies by U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists and others have found evidence that a higher intake of vitamin C helps protect against developing developing cataracts. Now, the findings are even more compelling, with direct evidence that higher intakes of this antioxidant vitamin lead to higher levels in "the eyes' lenses, where cataracts develop, and in the fluid that nourishes the lens. It was reported in a recent issue of Current Eye Research that forty-two patients scheduled for removal of cataract-clouded lenses, had agreed to participate participate in the USDA study, reported. Half of them received an extra two grams of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) for a few weeks before surgery, while the other half got a placebo. "We saw significant differ ences between the two groups for total ascorbic acid in their blood plasma, lenses and aqueous humor fluid," says Allen Taylor, the director of studies on relationships between nutrition and vision at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts ' University, Boston, which is funded by the. USDA's Agricultural Research Service. • He explains that the group receiving extra vitamin C averaged 49 percent more ascorbic acid in their lenses, and 32 percent more in aqueous aqueous humor fluid, which bathes and nourishes the lens. And their blood plasma was at least 89 percent higher in the vitamin group. Taylor doesn't recommend that people start taking two grams of vitamin C a day to prevent cataracts. "We don't know what dose might be effective over the long term," he says. The two gram dose was used to maximize effects over the few weeks volunteers took the vitamin. Cataracts form when lens proteins damaged by sunlight and oxygen build up and cloud the lens, reducing light transmission. Earlier studies with animal models by the team and others have shown that vitamin C reduced the damage. Taylor explains that the differences in ascorbic acid content were surprising in view of the fact that the placebo placebo group got an average of 148 milligrams of vitamin C per day - nearly two and a half times the Recommended Dietary Allowance - through their diet. Apparently, this intake did not provide maximal levels in the lens and aqueous humor or the levels would not have increased; he says. Ascorbic acid is many times more con centrated in these tissues than in blood plasma,which means they actively take the vitamin from the blood. Since older, clouded lenses are known to have lower vitamin vitamin C levels than young or healthy lenses, the extra vitamin vitamin C may be important. The group is currently working to determine if it's necessary to saturate the lens with ascorbic acid to get optimal protections. protections. - The study shows for the first time that eye lens and aqueous humor levels of vitamin vitamin C are related to people's dietary intake. And it emphasizes emphasizes the need to learn how increasing vitamin C intake or plasma levels may protect people against cataracts. It also begins to answer the question of whether or not plasma levels of vitamin C can be used to predict eye lens or aqueous humor levels of the vitamin. Tips to Help Minimize Chances of Car Theft With the increasing incidence of carjacking and car theft, it's important to take appropriate precautions, say the experts at the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.). Older Americans may feel particularly vulnerable but, according to the I.I.I., if you're ever threatened by a carjacker, it's important to save your life "first, then think of the car. To minimize the chances of being the victim of a carjacking, carjacking, the Institute suggests the following: • Stay alert. Be sensitive to persons lurking near or moving toward your parked car. Don't confront them. If you're in the car, drive away as quickly as you can. If you're not in the car, walk away. • Keep the windows of your car shut and the doors locked, whether you're in or out of the car. • Drive in the center lane of the highway to minimize the chances of being pushed onto the shoulder of the road. • If another car bumps your car, stay inside with the windows windows shut and doors locked, and drive to the closest police or fire station. • Don't stop at isolated pay phones, cash machines or newspaper stands. • Park only in well-lighted areas and make sure your own driveway is well-lighted. With 1.7 million cars stolen annually, you're much more likely to be a victim of car theft than carjacking. Here are other tips from the Insurance Information Institute for preventing car theft: • Keep your registration card in your wallet instead of in your glove compartment. If you and your spouse share a car, obtain a second registration card from the motor vehicle agency in your state. • If you have to leave personal property in your car, put it in the trunk. Don't leave expensive-looking or attractively- packaged items on the front or back seats of the car. • Use paint or an indelible marker to put the vehicle identification identification number under the engine hood, trunk lid and on the battery. This number is usually found on the dashboard on the driver's .side of the car. • Use a security device like a steering wheel lock or a gear shift column lock. Ask your local police which of these devices they recommend. If, despite these precautions, your car is stolen, call the police immediately to report the theft. Have the following information ready to give the police: the year, make, model and color of the car; the time the car was stolen; a description of anyone you may have seen loitering loitering around the car before the theft; and the names and phone numbers of any witnesses. Also report the theft, too, to your insurance agent or company representative. From page 16 are plastic table radios, paintings, paintings, art of all types, Indian artifacts, pre-1950 bicycles, tin wind-up toys, decoys, electric trains, carnival glass, watches, costume jewellery, baseball cards, Hummel figurines, figurines, ,music boxes, pottery, silverware and French, English or American china. Other items that should never be sold without advice include cameras, Christmas ornaments, war souvenirs, cigarette lighters, clocks, dolls, guns, ivory, political buttons, lunch boxes, phonograph phonograph records and beaded piirses. Seniors on a budget can convert paper goods to cash, including ticket stubs, sports programs, photos, postcards, gum and tobacco cards, Sears and other catalogues, illustrated illustrated checks, comic books, blueprints, blueprints, diaries, scrapbooks, hunting licenses, paper dolls and newspapers. Hyman designed his directories directories to help seniors and other amateur sellers, whom he describes as "people outside outside the antiques business," to get a good deal from dealers and collectors. One lucky 60-year-old recently purchased an oboe at a yard sale for "less than the cost of a hamburger." She contacted Mickie Zeckley, a musical instrument buyer Hyman recommends, and asked if he would pay her $200 for her find. "No I can't do that," was Mickie's prompt reply, as he wrote out a check for $7,000 and handed it to the surprised seller. "That," Hyman says proudly, "is the level of integrity I look for in people to help seniors." ARE YOUR NAILS HURTING YOU? TIME FOR. FOOT CARE! NAILS CORNS CALLUS DEBA'S MOBILE FOOT CARE in the privacy of your home. 24 HOUR SERVICE (905) 263-4575 L -- ANNE CLARKE Reg. N. ©j.pJ speak VP speaker to |tha t you play the 'outf? :e n's voices If you answered "yes " to three or more of these questions, you may have a À hearing loss. Hearing loss is more common than you think. The good news is that most hearing loss can be helped. See how easy it is to get help for your hearing loss... re mumbling or ryjjjg »c««ÏÏ ,0n ciearVy^ HE BOWMANVILLE HEARING CENTRE Aemorial Hospital, 47 Liberty St. S., Bowmanville You wouldn't leave home without your glasses. It should be the same if you need a hearing aid. ©j.p.