Nutrition and Eye Health
Our diet influences many
aspects of our lives, both physical and emotional. Nutrition and
eye health go hand-in-hand, and this can help the estimated 16 million
people over the age of 45 that have some sort of eye vision loss
in the United States.
Scientists have done studies
that show that with some modifications to a person’s diet,
the risk of cataract formation and age-related macular degeneration
can possibly be reduced. Key components in the nutrition and eye
health link are six nutrients: the antioxidants lutein, zeaxanthin,
beta-carotene, vitamin C and E, and zinc.
Studies done by the government’s
Agricultural Research Service have shown that cataracts are slowly
formed if antioxidants aren’t neutralizing the damage done
by red, blue, yellow, and ultraviolet light to the lens and retinas.
The lens contains high levels of vitamin C and E and carotenoids
are concentrated in the retina. This is why scientists associate
nutrition and eye health.
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