Nutrition and Eye Health

Yesterday I recieved my October issue of The Review of Optometry. I know you're all aquiver with jealousy, but don't hate...we can't all get such pillars of excitement delivered to our doors!

But seriously, it has an interesting article written about nutritional therapuetics for the eye. It covers the three biggies that most people are scared of when talking about their eyes: glaucoma(an optic nerve disease), macular degeneration(a retinal disease) and cataracts(a lens disease) and how recent discoveries in nutrient supplementation can be beneficial in prevention and/or treatment of these diseases. So without further ado...ps..take notes, there will be a quiz! ....JUST KIDDING!

1. Nutrition and Macular Degeneration:

-Vitamin C appears to protect the retina. A study showed that participants who consumed a

supplement with Vitamin C had 25% less progression of their macular degeneration than those who took a placebo. Good sources of vitamin C-yellow sweet peppers, brussels sprouts, kiwis,

strawberries, papayas and canteloupe.

-Vitamin E-In one study there was no difference in progression of macular degeneration between the study group and the control group. However, this doesn't mean that you should take vitamin E off the menu just yet! Good sources of vitamin E-raisin bran, almonds, canola oil, asparagus, olive oil. Caveat-excessive intake can lead to intestinal distress.

-Carotenoids-Lutein and zeaxanthin may protect women from macular degeneration. These

nutrients absorb dangerous blue light and are found in high concentration in the macula. Good sources-carrots, spinach, winter squash, kale, broccoli

-Omega 3-fatty acids-You must supplement with omega 3 because are bodies can't make it on it's own. There have been no formal studies of omega 3's in the prevention of macular degeneration.

2. Cataracts and Nutrition-

Intake of lutein and zeaxanthin and vitamin C may provide a decrease in the development of cataracts.

3. Nutrition and glaucoma-I think is the most important of the three because it's the only one from which you can go blind...well, technically you could go blind from cataracts IF you never got them removed and they got soo bad that they ruptured and then you had a huge immune reaction to the proteins inside the lens and never got that treated...well, that doesn't really happen in developed countries...but glaucoma? Without proper treatment, blindness is inevitable.

-Ginkgo biloba increases blood flow in the ophthalmic artery. This may increase optic nerve health.

So what do we take from this article? Well, a lot more research needs to be conducted! And secondly, all these nutrients they are recommending are not harmful in their proper doses(particularly when they are coming from fruits and veggies!) so I say, why not?

Article source: Vyas D. Darshna, M. Sc., R.D., LDN and Pinakin Gunvant, B.S.Optom., Ph.D. Nutritional Therapeutics for the Eye. Review of Optometry. October 15, 2009