Eye Diseases
Cataracts, Glaucoma and Age-Related Macular Degeneration are the 3 most common diseases that if not treated, can lead to blindness.
Cataracts is formed from protein residue clouding the lens in the eye to prevent light entering. Cataracts is an age-related disease and usually affects people over the age of 40.
Glaucoma is gradual nerve damage that leads to fluid eye pressure resulting in vision deterioration. Lost vision cannot be recovered and there’s no cure, but a good diet is recommended to slow down glaucoma progression.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD or ARMD) is the damage to the retina nerves. The macula (part of eye that’s responsible for visual quality) loses vision as a result.
Essential Nutrients
Some of the eye diseases are part of genetics and cannot be avoided, but we can still help our eyes. Nutrients such as Lutein and Zeaxanthin are vital for the eye to remain healthy and function properly. We can supply the eyes with nutrients with the food we eat. By keeping the eyes healthy, we can prevent eye diseases or at least limit the growth and progression of them. The eyes need a balanced nutritional diet that includes vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E, Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Meso-zeaxanthin, Zinc and Magnesium.
Vitamin A, C, E, Lutein, Zeaxanthin and Zinc are all anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants are compounds which benefit the body greatly as they rid it of any toxins. The most famous anti-oxidant is probably beta Carotene, a pro-vitamin A carotenoid.
All vitamin B compounds in general, enhance the immune and nervous system and aid the absorption of magnesium. Magnesium assists with the production of tears which is important for cleaning the eyes, keeping them hydrated as well as killing bacteria. Meso-zeaxanthin is at the core of the macula and responsible for the visual quality.
Recommended Foods
Vitamin A (can be found in)
Pig liver, cod liver oil, sweet potatoes, carrots, mangoes, spinach, cantaloupe, dried apricots, milk, egg yolks, kale and butter.
Vitamin B
Spinach, kale, milk, pork, turkey, beef, liver, eggs, cheese, cod, salmon, brown rice, butter, peppers, cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, white mushrooms and celery.
Vitamin C
Lemon, orange, strawberry, blackcurrant, guava, kiwi, peppers, brussel sprouts, kale, broccoli, spring greens and grapefruit.
Vitamin E
Almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, sunflower seed kernels, sweet potato, mayonnaise, wheat germ oil, margarine, spinach, tomato, peppers, mangoes and cereals.
Lutein
Kale, collard greens, spinach, cress leaf, swiss chard, chicory leaf, parsley, red pepper, corn, egg yolk, turnip greens and green peas.
Zeaxanthin
Kale, swiss chard, spinach, watercress, turnip greens, collard greens, eggs, broccoli, corn, brussel sprouts, goji berries and peppers.
Meso-Zeaxanthin
Prawns, salmon, halibut, trout and sea bass.
Zinc
Oyster, wheat germ, veal liver, beef, lamb, poultry, crab, lobster, beans, milk, yoghurt, cheese, watermelon seeds, cocoa and peanuts.
Magnesium
Artichoke, milk, almonds, brazil nuts, cashews, pine nuts, beans, spinach, tomato, halibut, tuna, banana, barley, brown rice and pumpkin seeds.
Food vs Vitamin Supplements
To keep the eyes healthy, a balanced diet should be consumed. Raw food usually contains more of the nutrients than after it is cooked as heat can destroy the nutrients. Not all food contains the same amount of nutrients, which is why a balanced but also quantitative diet is required.
Some foods contain abnormally high amounts of certain nutrients such as oysters for zinc. You will need to monitor your nutrient intake as health experts have drawn up a daily recommended consumption level and you will need to be aware of this. Having excess of nutrients is not a good thing, it can lead to problems. Should you have any questions about this or side effects of too much nutrients, you should see your doctor or search online for an answer.
Vitamin supplements are made for the purpose of giving your body what it needs in the effective and safe doses. Eye vitamins such as Macusan, Ocuvite and MacuShield all contain the vital nutrients, especially Lutein and Zeaxanthin. MacuShield also contains Meso-Zeaxanthin which is why experts rate it highly for the benefit of the eyes. Taking vitamins even though you consider yourself having a balanced diet is not a bad thing. Vitamin supplements can be seen as a back up to ensure any nutrients you are still lacking will be replenished.
Conclusion
To finish off, it is advisable to watch your diet and eat plenty of spinach as it is a super food for eyes. Spinach is possibly the best vegetable for eyes, many more times better than carrots. The alternative would be to take vitamin supplements as it is not easy to meet the daily nutritional requirements. Elderly people are more at risk to get eye diseases, so make sure you check with the opticians regularly. Don’t leave it late, eyesight is precious and cannot always be restored. Glaucoma is known as the “silent thief of sight” (according to wikipedia) for this reason.
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July 23, 2011 
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