Healthy Eating – Surprising Benefits For Your Eyes

Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients in the diet that are beneficial in many different parts of the body. Vitamins are organic, meaning they come from animal or plants, or the foods that we eat. Minerals are inorganic substances that are found in foods that we consume on a regular basis. From building bones and healing wounds to providing you with energy, these nutrients have hundreds of purposes including helping with maintaining the overall health of your eyes. Yes, you heard right. What you eat can affect how healthy your eyes are. While this may not be something you have thought much about in the past, it could make all the difference in your future.

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration, a disease that causes vision loss, affects over 200,000 Americans every year. This eye disease happens when the middle part of the retina begins to deteriorate. Currently, this disease has no cure, although there are treatments for it. One of the best ways to prevent this disease is by making sure you have proper diet and nutrition, which provides your eyes with the vitamins and minerals that they need.

• Beta carotene – Found in vegetables that are dark yellow or orange in color such as carrots, butternut squash and sweet potatoes.
• Lutein – Found in dark green leafy vegetables such as turnip greens, spinach and kale.
• Omega-3 fatty acids – Found in some types of fish, walnuts and flaxseed.
• Bioflavonoids – Found in citrus fruits, legumes and red wine.
• Vitamin C – Found in many types of fruits and vegetables.

Other Eye Related Benefits

One common theory that many have all heard, is that carrots will improve your vision. Carrots have actually been hailed as a miracle cure for many diseases over centuries, but this rumor started with a fighter pilot in WWII who claimed that his perfect vision was due to eating many carrots. But how true is this theory? Carrots do not actually improve your vision, but they do contain a lot of vitamin A.  A diet that is seriously lacking in vitamin A may lead to blindness. Additionally, vitamin A has been proven to help fight both night blindness and dry eyes. So, while you may not gain perfect vision from eating carrots every day, they are an essential part of maintaining healthy eyesight.

A qualified optometrist in the Nampa, Idaho can help you to understand both the prevention, causes and treatments for Macular degeneration.