SUPPORT YOUR EYESIGHT WITH FOOD?

Modern eye technologies like contact lenses, cornea transplants or cataract surgery, etc. have saved eyesight in many cases. Still, nature has its own answers for supporting your eyesight naturally and without side effects - with appropriate nutrients in food. Just learn more about…

Carol Conrey from Boston, MA, asks:
 
The older you get, the less satisfactory your eyesight is. Obviously, a law of nature, Doc?
 
Dr. Fritz:
 
Not necessarily a ‘law of nature’, as you say. Rather, it is much a matter of your lifestyle which you can manage yourself – with food. Because, the right nutrients play a decisive role not only for your health in general but also for your eyesight specifically.

RESEARCH BASED FOOD RECOMMENDATIONS

We have learned almost 20 years ago from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (ARED) of the U.S. governmental Institutes of Health (NIH), with follow-ups in later years, that specific nutrients are supporting our eyesight, regardless of age.
 
With special reference to minerals like copper and zinc, vitamins A, C, E and beta-carotene, as well as eye-friendly nutrients lutein and zeaxanthin.
 
Now, further scientific findings of the American Optometric Association (AOA) and the American Academy of Ophtalmology (AAO) as part of the AREDS study have identified 10 foods which can support your eyesight in daily life – naturally and without side effects. Inter alia…   
 

Oily Fish

...such as salmon, tuna, herring, mackerel, sardines, anchovies, sardines because of its content of omega-3 fatty acids.
 
Even more, oily fish helps also for dry eyes resulting, e.g., from much computer work.

Leafy Green Vegetables

...like kale, spinach, collards, etc. are not only rich sources of eye supporting nutrients such as lutein and zeaxanthin but also of eye-supportive vitamin C.

Citrus Fruits

...such as lemons, grapefruits, and oranges show similar results because of their vitamins C and E content, which both also protect against age-related eye damage. 
 

Nuts

...support your eyesight as well, not only because of their omega-3 content but also because of vitamin E which, again, also fights age-related eye damage.
 
With special reference to peanuts, walnuts, cashews, and Brazil nuts.
 
Same refers to

Seeds

like flax seeds, hemp seeds, and chia seeds, because of their high content of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E as well.   

Sweet Potatoes

are another excellent source of vitamin E – plus beta-carotene.
 
Beta-carotene not only gives the orange color to

Carrots
 

but is also responsible for the eye-supporting vitamin A in this vegetable.
 
To change back from the fields to the animal kingdom,

Eggs

...are certainly important for our eyesight because of their content of lutein and zeaxanthin, both scientifically validated to decrease the risk of age-related eye problems.
 
Additionally, they are a very good source of eye-supportive mineral zinc, as well as vitamins C and E.

Beef

...is an excellent source of zinc as well, decreasing the risk of macular degeneration and age-related loss of eyesight  
 
Finally, not to forget drinking sufficient

Water

...to avoid dehydration – and dry eyes.

IN A NUTSHELL

We may not want to forget about the benefits of modern eye technologies like contact lenses,  cornea transplants or cataract surgery etc., which saved the eyesight of millions.
 
Still, we should not overlook the fact that nature gives us right answers also when it comes to supporting our eyesight in daily life - with appropriate nutrients in specific foods. Scientifically validated.

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DISCLAIMER

All information stated in this blog are for your personal education, and not to replace the advice of your healthcare provider.