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While we all know eating carrots wont magically give us 20-20 vision, can what we eat affect our eyesight?

It turns out, eye health is crucially linked to diet consuming certain essential nutrients can stave off eye disease and age-related degeneration. Fox News spoke to Dr. Andrea Thau, president of the American Optometric Association, and Lauren Blake, a dietitian at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, to get their tips on the best foods to eat for optimum eye health:

1. Leafy greens The carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin found in eggs and leafy greens like spinach and kale are essential for eye health, Thau and Blake said. Studies have shown that lutein and zeaxanthin reduce the risk of chronic eye disease, including age-related macular degeneration, Thau explained. (Age-related macular degeneration is a common cause of vision loss in people over 50.)

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2. Salmon Essential omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish like salmon and tuna, can help reduce inflammation, enhance production of tears, and support the outer layer of the eye, Thau said.

3. Sweet potatoes Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect our eyes from free radicals, which break down healthy tissues, Thau said. She noted that sweet potatoes and fortified cereals are both great sources of vitamin E.

4. Chickpeas Zinc is a trace mineral and helper molecule that plays an essential role in bringing Vitamin A from the liver to the retina, Thau said. Good sources of zinc include chicken, chickpeas and pumpkin seeds.

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5. Bell peppers Vitamin C, found in foods like bell peppers, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts, can help protect against UV light damage to our eyes, Blake said. It can also lower the risk of developing cataracts and even, in combination with other nutrients, slow down the rate of age-related macular degeneration, Thau said.

6. Almonds Vitamin E is another essential nutrient that can help prevent cataracts and age-related degeneration, Blake said, noting that good sources include wheat germ, peanut butter and almonds.

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7. Vitamin and mineral supplements An overall healthy diet is the best aid for eye health, Blake said. But what happens if you struggle to get the nutrients you need through diet alone? In that case, discuss your concerns with your doctor during your annual eye examination: Thau noted that your physician can work with you to determine whether you need certain supplements to make sure youre getting all the nutrients you need.

Originally posted here:
Foods to improve eyesight: Almonds, sweet potatoes and beyond - Fox News

This entry was posted on April 5, 2017 at 9:44 pm and is filed under Eye Sight & Vision. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |