Beat Age-Related Blindness with Food

They say the eyes are the windows to the soul.

That may be the case, but on a more practical level, the eyes are the windows to the world.

The older you get, the more you realize how true this is.

For many, waning eyesight starts with needing readers or a stronger eyeglass prescription.

But the REAL problem comes with your increased risk of more serious eye conditions like macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts.

The good news is that you CAN take steps to protect your eyes as you get older. But this doesn’t just mean regular eye checkups… it also means eating an eye-healthy diet.

Here’s where to start.

Vitamin A is essential for healthy eyesight. It helps prevent night blindness.

For many seniors, losing night vision dictates what events or activities they participate in because they don’t want to be out after dark.

To give your eyes all the vitamin A they need, you’ll need to ensure you’re getting more beta-carotene in your diet. Your body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A.

The BEST food sources of beta-carotene include orange-colored foods like sweet potatoes and carrots.

Two other critical eye-healthy nutrients are lutein and zeaxanthin. They help protect your eyes from damage caused by free radicals.

Studies show that this tag team can reduce your risk of glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.

To get more lutein and zeaxanthin in your diet, eat more eggs and green leafy vegetables.

Omega-3 fatty acids also belong on this list because they protect your retina from degeneration.

Studies show that omega-3s are linked to improved eye health. They also treat dry eye syndrome, a condition that can reduce visual function and quality of life.

The BEST source of omega-3s is fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and tuna. But you can also get them from nuts like almonds, walnuts, and cashews.

Zinc is vital for eye health. The mineral helps maintain the health of your retina, cell membranes, and the protein structure of your eye.

Zinc also helps transport vitamin A from your liver to your retina, producing melanin. This is the pigment that protects your eyes from UV light.

Good sources of zinc include chickpeas, kidney beans, and lentils.

Vitamins C and E are antioxidants that protect your eyes against UV light damage.

Research shows supplementing with vitamin C can reduce the risk of cataract progression by 33 percent.

Leafy greens are great for your eyes because they provide vitamins C and E, lutein, and zeaxanthin.

Studies show that taking a COMBINATION of many of these nutrients daily—like zinc, beta-carotene, vitamin E, and vitamin C—can slow the progression of ARMD by 25 percent.

Protect your windows to the world starting TODAY.

P.S. The key to preventing age-related macular degeneration is protecting your eye’s macula. And researchers have identified two critical ways to do that. CLICK HERE for the details.

SOURCE:

Sulaimon, M. (2023, May 7.) “Eat Me: Beans, Eggs… Six Best Foods for Eye Health.” The Cable: Lifestyle.