A healthy lifestyle and diet can help you avoid different health problems and eye conditions. Meanwhile, poor habits such as smoking and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol have adverse effects on your overall health. If you want to maintain good eye health, knowing which kinds of food to include in your meals will help.
Find out which nutrients contribute to good eye health from a local provider of eyeglasses and contact lenses.
Vitamin E
Antioxidant fights free radicals that cause damage to the tissues in your body. These free radicals can sometimes damage the proteins within your eyes, leading to the development of cataracts. Studies show that vitamin E aids in the prevention of cataracts. However, a separate study showed that vitamin E supplements did not affect the progression of cataracts.
Beta Carotene and Vitamin A
Vitamin A is essential for good vision and eye health. It makes up the protein rhodopsin, which helps the eye see in dimly lit environments. The American Academy of Ophthalmology says that vitamin A deficiency can lead to night blindness. This nutrient also helps with the production of moisture in your eyes.
The main source of vitamin A in the human diet is beta carotene, a type of plant pigment called a carotenoid found in different colorful fruits and vegetables. When you eat food with carotenoids, your body converts the pigments into vitamin A.
Vitamin C
Another nutrient that your optometrist would recommend you include in your diet is vitamin C. This nutrient is a powerful antioxidant that protects your eyes against free radicals. Oxidative damage is linked to cortical and nuclear cataracts.
B Vitamins
Consuming foods rich in vitamins B6, B9, and B12 helps lower homocysteine levels. Homocysteine is a protein linked to inflammation and a higher risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Another study discovered that taking protein, vitamin A, and B-vitamins riboflavin, thiamine, and niacin is associated with lower development of nuclear cataracts.
While there are supplements available on the market, your diet should remain the main source of getting vitamins and minerals for your body. Maintain a healthy lifestyle, eat foods rich in antioxidants, and visit your eye doctor regularly. Whether you need a computer vision exam or a new pair of glasses, Eyes on Norbeck is here to help. Call us at (301) 238-7199 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We assist patients in Rockville, MD.
