Effect of Partial Starvation on Development of Diabetic Cataracts.

Abstract

Lowering the blood sugar of diabetic rats by starvation for a period of 40 hours each week prevents cataracts to the extent that the blood sugar is lowered. Starvation produces a drop of approximately 200 mg of glucose per 100 cc of blood. Cataracts are prevented if the severity of the diabetes is such that the non-fasting average blood sugar is 450 mg per 100 cc or less.