Changing your diet and taking vitamins every day to remedy eye problems sounds almost too good to be true, right?
You may be wondering why more people don’t know about the benefits of these vitamins if they really work that well.
It is true: many people have had success repairing their vision simply by making sure their bodies, and their eyes, are getting the necessary nutrition to function properly.
Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, has even been classified as a nutrition-responsive disease by the National Eye Institute, which gives new meaning to the age-old adage, “you are what you eat.” Certain antioxidant vitamins and zinc have been shown to help prevent vision loss in those suffering from macular degeneration.
Let’s go over the vitamins and minerals that could help your future look brighter. The following is a list of the particular eye vitamins that have been shown help regress the macular degeneration:
1. Vitamin C
According to the American Optometric Association, vitamin C is not only vital to healthy cells throughout our bodies but is also used by our eyes to build healthy ocular blood vessels. The American Optometric Association states that when you take vitamin C in conjunction with other antioxidant vitamins like A, E and zinc, you can reduce the progression of macular degeneration by as much as 25 percent.
We all know that oranges contain vitamin C. However, some people may not be aware of the fact that spinach and tomatoes also contain this nutrient. Adding all of these foods to your diet in more prominent amounts will help reduce the progression of AMD.
2. Vitamin E Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant thought to protect the cells of our eyes by breaking down toxic free radicals before they can cause damage. Studies have shown that including Vitamin E, along with other vitamins and minerals, can reduce your chance of developing age-related macular degeneration.
Foods containing vitamin E include spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, peanut butter, olives, and mangos. There is a lot you can do with these foods. Try blending them into a smoothie to enjoying them raw as an afternoon snack. The more you incorporate into your diet now, the more your eyes will thank you years from now.
3. Beta Carotene or Vitamin A
Vitamin A, or beta carotene, helps your body to protect the important surface of your eyes. Adequate intake of vitamin A, in conjunction with the other vitamins on this list, will reduce the symptoms and incidents of macular degeneration.
Carrots are the most well-known source of this vitamin, but other vegetables and fruits also contain this vision powerhouse.
Many of the foods you may already be eating contain vitamin A. Eggs, spinach and yes carrots all contain significant amounts of Vitamin A. Because vitamin A is so beneficial to the human body, it is also often added to the milk we drink. A good rule of thumb is that the the more highly pigmented, or colorful, the leafy green or orange fruit or vegetable is, the more vitamin A it contains.
4. Zinc
Zinc is defined as an essential trace mineral. Adequate daily intake of zinc, especially in conjunction with the other vitamins in this list, has been shown to reduce the progression of macular degeneration. Our bodies cannot produce zinc, so ensuring that it is a part of our diet is especially important.
You can also find zinc in beef, eggs, bran flakes and yogurt.
5. Copper
It’s important to increase your intake of copper when taking the other nutrients on this list. This is because high levels of zinc can result in a copper deficiency. A copper deficiency can lead to an increased risk of infections and even anemia. While our bodies normally need only very small amounts of copper to function properly, it is still an essential mineral. Copper acts in our body as an antioxidant that encourages the flexibility of the tissues in the eye.
As we age, our eyes lose flexibility, just as the rest of our body often does. Copper is also necessary for proper brain function.
Some natural sources of copper include eggs and dark green leafy vegetables.
Strong, healthy eyes are a necessity if you want to enjoy your life. Just because we’re getting older doesn’t mean that we don’t want to see and experience each day to the fullest.
This post originally appeared on Rebuild Your Vision.
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