We often think of diet when we delve into health issues like high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes, but it can also have an effect on our eyes. In fact, taking more of some vitamins can help protect the eyes from damage.
Public Health Nutritionist Dr Emma Derbyshire of MacauShield said: “It is very important to look after the health of our eyes all year round, especially in the summer due to the bright sunshine, air-conditioned offices, dry weather, dust, sand and sea water. Overexposure to sunlight and UV rays can “It can be very harmful to the health of the back of the eye and over time may increase the risk of serious eye diseases. It is important that we take regular steps to help take care of our eyes. This includes a specific part of the eye, the macula, which is responsible for many aspects of vision.”
Derbyshire explains: “The macula or yellow spot is part of the retina, located directly in the back of the eye. It is only about 5 mm wide, but it is responsible for our central vision, and most of our vision of colors and fine details of what we see. The macula contains a very high concentration of “Photoreceptors, the cells that detect light. The macula is the most sensitive part of the retina and gives us sharp central vision that is essential for activities like reading and driving.”
Derbyshire recommended increasing your vitamin C intake as a way to protect the macula. She said: “Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant vitamin that helps protect the macula from oxidative damage. The eye is made up of layers of connective tissue that collagen maintains. Vitamin C is essential for collagen production, and collagen is really important for the eyes because it protects them.”
Good sources of vitamin C include:
Citrus fruits like oranges and lemons
– kiwi
– Pepper
– the strawberry
– tomatoes
Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower)
A 10-year study, published in the journal Ophthalmology in 2016, found that vitamin C is associated with the development of cataracts.
Cataracts occur when cloudy patches form on the lens of the eye. These spots usually grow larger over time, causing blurred vision and eventually blindness.
The study followed more than 1,000 pairs of female twins. It concluded that participants who took more vitamin C showed a 33% reduction in the risk of developing cataracts, as well as clearer lenses in general.
However, a separate study from the journal Nutrients in 2020 found that the relationship between vitamin C consumption and cataracts was not definitive and that more research was needed.
Derbyshire also advised eating foods rich in lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin E, zinc, copper and vitamin B2 to promote healthy eyes.
2023-08-29 05:25:19
#important #vitamin #maintain #eyes
