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nutrition
Nutrition for the Eyes
by W. A. Hunter OD PA
Most people know that carrots are good for the eyes, and in fact carrots are very good for the eyes. Carrots and most other orange colored foods, such as apricots, squash, pumpkin, red peppers and sweet potatoes contain carotene, the body converts to vitamin A. But the best sources of vitamin A are found in broccoli and spinach. This vitamin is good for night vision and to prevent dry eyes as well as dry skin etc. If you aren't consuming many of these foods you should supplement your diet with a multiple vitamin that contains around 5000 units of this vitamin.
A multiple vitamin should contain vitamin D and E which is necessary for the body to process vitamin A. Do not over due these oil soluble vitamins because over 20,000 units a day build up in the body and may start to be toxic. It has been reported that after a few months of using more than 50,000 units a day may cause irritability, itching and loss of appetite and later on a loss of hair, enlarged liver, aching bones and abnormal mental behavior.
Vitamin C is found in citrus fruit as well as other fresh fruits like berries and melons. Cooking destroys this vitamin. It is not stored in the body, and must be consumed daily for optimum health. This vitamin is hard to over consume because the body just expels what it doesn't need. This vitamin along with vitamin E protects the eyes against cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Eye Institute reported recently that taking supplemental vitamin C, E, and beta carotene along with zinc reduced by 25% the affects of age related macular degeneration-a condition that destroys the central vision usually in the elderly.
Other eye healthy substances are selenium, and the omega 3 fatty acids.