Best Eye Foods
You have heard it said that “we are what we eat.” Our food choices can help to preserve our vision. We want to share information with patients and clients about the best eye foods. We all love to eat, what better feeling than knowing our food choices help us to prevent vision loss and eye disease.
As our life expectancy increases we are living longer than ever before. As a result many more people will experience age related eye diseases, such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Choosing a diet rich in Omega-3’s, Vitamin C, Lutein and Zeaxanthin will help to maintain your vision and eye health as long as possible. Carrots may be the food best known for helping your eyes. But other foods and their nutrients may be more important for keeping your eyesight strong as you age.
Three of the many important nutrients for eye health are lutein, zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids.
Kale – high in Lutein and Zeaxanthin
Lutein and zeaxanthin are caretinoids and contain a pigment that is abundant in the macula of the eye. Consuming lutein and zeaxanthin, either in foods or in a supplement, results in an increase of caretinoids in the macula. Foods highest in lutein and zeaxanthin are kale and spinach.
Vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids all play a role in eye health. They can help prevent cataracts, clouding of your eye lens. They may also fight the most-likely cause of vision loss when you’re older: age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Foods Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids
Three important omega-3 fatty acids are DHA and EPA and ALA. DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and (alpha-linolenic acid) are found in fish oils, nuts and flax seed.
“It’s always best to get the nutrients we know help vision from foods,” says Elizabeth J. Johnson, PhD. She’s a research scientist and associate professor at Tufts University in Boston. “Foods may contain many other nutrients we aren’t aware of that may help, too.”
“Eating a cooked 10-ounce block of frozen spinach over the course of a week will help lower your risk of age-related eye disease,” Johnson says. Kale has double these nutrients. Collard greens, broccoli, and bright-colored fruits like kiwis and grapes are ways to get them, too.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a highly effective antioxidant that may regenerate other antioxidants (such as vitamin E). It protects DNA and RNA, and other nutrients in the body, from free radical damage. Also known as ascorbic acid, this vitamin is essential for the synthesis of collagen – a structural component of blood vessels, bones, ligaments, skin and tendons. Vitamin C even plays an important role in the in the synthesis of brain neurotransmitters, which affect mood. A water soluble vitamin that’s easily damaged or destroyed, vitamin C cannot be produced in the human body. Research has shown that vitamin C is involved in the metabolism of cholesterol and may positively affect cardiovascular health. Research has shown that high doses of vitamin C may protect against cataracts as well as drastically reduce the duration of cold symptoms. Red bell pepper, strawberries, oranges, kiwi, broccoli, grapefruit and brussels sprouts, papaya, and green peppers are great sources of vitamin C. The chart below shows serving suize and mg.’s of Vitamin C provided:
Food Sources Serving Vitamin C
Red bell pepper 1/2 c, raw 95 m.g.
Strawberries 1 cup, whole 85 m.g.
Orange juice 3/4 cup 93 m.g.
Broccoli 1/2 cup cooked 51 m.g.
Grapefruit 1/2 medium 38 m.g
Seeds, Nuts, Wheat Germ & Vitamin E
Vitamin C and Vitamin E work together, but many of us do not receive as much vitamin E as we should from food. A small handful of sunflower seeds, or a tablespoon of wheat germ oil in your salad dressing provide a big boost. Almonds, pecans, and vegetable oils are also good sources.
For More Information – Eye Foods – A Plan for Healthy Eyes
eye foods
See store for details
