What vitamin is good for eye health?
The eyes are complex organs that need utmost care and various nutrients and vitamins to function correctly. Eye issues stem from multiple things, and vitamin deficiencies can be one of the causes of eye problems. One might wonder if they need vitamins for their eyes to be healthier.
Can vitamins improve eye health?
You might have heard someone say to eat carrots as they suit the eyes. Sometimes, you may chance upon nutritional supplement advertisements for eye health. However, can your eyes benefit from vitamins and minerals?
A balanced diet will always be the main source of vitamins and minerals. In fact, researchers link eye-friendly nutrients like zeaxanthin, vitamin C, lutein, zinc, and vitamin E to reduce the risks of some serious eye diseases.
Additionally, the AREDS and AREDS2, or the Age-Related Eye Diseases Studies, are significant studies conducted by the National Eye Institute focusing on cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Throughout the studies, participants took one of the supplement formulations that the survey identified as potentially effective. They took the supplement every day for five years.
The studies showed that severe vision loss and AMD risks decreased by 25 percent. For those with AMD, the condition only slowed down in participants with moderate AMD. Furthermore, the supplements were ineffective for participants with mild or advanced stages.
The studies looked promising. However, they do not guarantee effectiveness for everyone who takes the supplements. Additionally, there needs to be more research to prove a strong connection between supplements and eye health.
What vitamin is good for eye health?
Studies have yet to prove the effectiveness of vitamins in curing eye conditions. Nevertheless, one can take vitamins for eyes health to prevent problems.
1. Astigmatism.
Vitamin A is the ideal prevention of astigmatism. While looking for eye supplements, you can check the label to see if they contain vitamin A. Furthermore, some of the available sources of vitamins include sweet potatoes, spinach, winter squash, and carrots. A diet rich in these vegetables ensures enough vitamin A for everyday needs.
2. Blurry vision.
B vitamins like folic acid, B6, and B12 help improve eye health. These vitamins prevent AMD, a condition where the retina deteriorates over time, eventually causing blurry vision. B vitamins reduce the blood levels of homocysteine. It is an acid affecting the arteries of the retina and is an independent factor for AMD risks.
3. Eye floaters.
These are small black spots or cloud-like forms drifting across one's field of vision. They do not have a cure. However, one can practice a balanced diet and enough sleep to prevent eye floaters. Zinc, vitamins A, C, and E, omega-3 fatty acids, and ginkgo biloba are excellent for eye health.
4. Cataracts.
Several studies showed that zeaxanthin and lutein reduce the risk of various chronic eye diseases, including cataracts. Dark, leafy, and green vegetables are the primary sources of these vitamins. Furthermore, you can also source them from colorful vegetables and fruits like peas, persimmons, corn, broccoli, and tangerines.
5. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Scientific evidence revealed that when one takes in vitamin C and other essential nutrients, it slows the progression of AMD. For a daily dose, you can incorporate grapefruit, oranges, papaya, strawberries, tomatoes, and green peppers into your diet.
Tips for buying the right vitamins for eyes
Vitamins for eyes vary. Hence one needs to be cautious enough about what to buy. Fruits, vegetables, and protein are already great nutrients for eye health. However, situations might require you to purchase supplements for the eyes. Here are simple guidelines you can refer to.
1. Locate the expiration label to ensure that the supplements are fresh. Additionally, the seal of the bottle must not be broken.
2. Capsules usually are absorbed better compared to hard tablets. Furthermore, they may cause less stomach upset.
3. The serving size on the packaging label is the suggested one implemented by the FDA, which food processors and manufacturers must follow. While it is not the recommended dosage, it can still be ideal for assessing whether to take one capsule or tablet in a day or add more.
4. Avoid eye supplements with wheat, dairy products, or corn as fillers. Reputable companies usually do not include unnecessary fillers in their supplements.
5. Inspect the ingredients. Ensure the supplements contain the necessary nutrients and minerals for eye health.
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