Eating away at By now, most everyone knows that experts recommend eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day for optimal health. But scientists at the National Institute of Public Health in Cuernavaca, Mexico, have asked an intriguing question: "Just which fruits and vegetables are more likely to prevent specific diseases?" Specifically, they studied which foods had the ability to reduce the risk of developing adult asthma. By analyzing the diets and other health factors of nearly 69,000 French women, researchers found that the ones who ate plenty of tomatoes, carrots, and leafy greens were less likely to have asthma. Among the women who were surveyed using a food frequency questionnaire, those who reported eating the most leafy greens -- mainly spinach and lettuce -- were 22 percent less likely to have asthma than women with the lowest intakes of such vegetables. Carrot eaters had a 20 percent lower risk of the disease, and tomato fans had an 18 percent lower risk. Overall, 3 percent of the women reported having asthma. Even with other major factors such as weight, calorie intake, smoking, and vitamin use taken into account, the women still had lower prevalence of the lung disease. Past studies have also linked antioxidants or other nutrients in plant foods with asthma prevention. Carrots, tomato juice, and spinach contain nutrients called carotenoids, some of which are converted into vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A helps regulate the immune system and maintains the lining of the respiratory tract.
Focus on glaucoma
Q: I have recently been diagnosed with something called normal-tension glaucoma. Do you have any information on what can be done for it? JVW: No one knows for sure how normal-tension glaucoma develops, but a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial published in the journal Opthalmology in 2003 found that taking120 milligrams of Ginkgo biloba extract can help those suffering from it. The study found the herb improved pre-existing visual field damage in some individuals.
What is...normal-tension glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes loss of vision because of damage to the optic nerve. A hallmark of glaucoma is increased intra-ocular pressure. But among the different types of glaucoma is a form called normal-tension glaucoma. This form of the disease also damages the optic nerve and retina, but pressure within the eye remains normal. No one knows for sure how this form of the disease develops. Other forms of glaucoma are chronic, acute, secondary, and congenital. Sources: "Fruit and vegetable intakes and asthma in the E3N study,"Thorax 2006; 61: 209-215
"Effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on preexisting visual field damage in normal tension glaucoma," Opthalmology 2003; 110(2): 359-362 | 
