As you grow older it’s not entirely uncommon for your eyesight to begin to deteriorate. This can be attributed to a number of factors, some of which you have control over (such as diet and sun exposure) while others (such as genetics) you’re absolutely powerless to control. For those that value their vision, it’s a wise idea to pre-emptively take steps to assure that your vision stays clear well into old age.
While there are several ways to go about protecting one’s eyes, such as by wearing sunglasses that protect from ultraviolet light, one of the most reliable ways to do so is through proper nutrition. Just like any other part of your body, your eyes require the proper nutrients or you may be risking complications over time. So whether you wear glasses or not, consuming the correct vitamins and minerals for healthy eyes is even important for those with perfect vision, especially if they hope to keep it that way!
Nutrients Linked to Healthy Eyes
Eating healthy is a good idea for a multitude of reasons, of which maintaining healthy eyesight is not even the most important. From heart disease to diabetes, a healthy diet may not just save your eyes, but can literally save your life as well. But since the focus of this blog is eyesight, here are the vitamins and minerals that you need to be incorporating into your diet to keep those eyes in tip-top shape:
· Dietary Antioxidants (Vitamins A, C, E and Selenium): Across multiple studies it has been shown that foods high in antioxidants, especially vitamins A, C, E and Selenium can help prevent macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss across the UK. Antioxidants are believed to prevent this condition by decreasing the amount of free-radicals that are present within the macula.
· Omega-3 Fatty Acids: DHA, a type of omega-3 fatty acid, is the material that primarily makes up your retina. This impressive compound—which is also found in the brain, skin and cerebral cortex—also has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Due to this, it is believed that a diet high in DHA is important to maintaining eye health.
· Zinc: This commonly found mineral is present in many natural food sources. And when consumed, zinc is great for the health of one’s retina. Also, much like antioxidants, zinc helps to prevent macular degeneration.
· Lutein and Zeaxanthin: These two compounds—once inside the eyes—act in a very similar fashion as antioxidants. Known as carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin have been shown to increase pigment levels within the eye, as well as increase macular density. The increased pigment helps to protect the eyes from the absorption of too much ultraviolet light.
Visit a Reliable Eye Doctor
While proper nutrition is an excellent way to prevent eye problems before they ever happen, there are some issues that are simply out of your control. For this reason, regardless of diet, it’s vital to make regular visits to a qualified optician, such as the team over at David Paul Opticians .
So if you’re interested in scheduling an eye exam , buying a new set of glasses or just have a few questions about maintaining proper eye health, please contact David Paul Opticians by phone on 01442 879 303, or by email at info@davidpaul.co.uk .