While a healthy, nutritious diet is essential for your physical and mental well-being, eating the right food can help you maintain a keen sight. To celebrate National Nutrition Month, we compiled the following list of essential vitamins to promote eye health.
1. Vitamin A/Beta-Carotene
Did your parents ever tell you that carrots are good for your eyes? They weren’t wrong. Carrots contain Beta-carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A. This vitamin is made up of antioxidants which protect the surface of your eyes and helps form a barrier against foreign objects such as bacteria and dust.
2. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is the most popular antioxidant as it helps many victims of colds and the flu. However, this vitamin can also help strengthen your body’s connective tissues—including corneal collagen. Vitamin C and also help reduce the risk eye health conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Your body cannot produce vitamin C on its own, so make sure to add plenty of citrus fruits, bell peppers and strawberries to your diet.
3. Vitamin D
Did you know that vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties that can help slow down your eyes’ aging process? The sun provides a natural source of Vitamin D, however, you can also find it in milk, cheese and other dairy products, as well as fatty fish such as salmon and tuna.
4. Lutein and Zeaxanthin
Lutein and Zeaxanthin are carotenoids found in the macula, along with a third substance, meso-zeaxanthin that must be manufactured in the retina from ingested lutein. Research shows that they can help reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. You can get both these nutrients by adding plenty of leafy greens to your diet!
For more information about Nutrition and how it can improve your eye health, or to schedule an eye exam with one of our optometrists, visit our website.
