Eye Nutrition
Sight is one of our most important senses, and having healthy eyes should be a primary concern. The lens is a soft transparent structure that allows light to enter the eye. Cataracts - which usually occur later in life - are the thickening of the lens due to a build up of damaged cells on the lens itself. This build up is due to free radical damage caused by exposure to sunlight. It is therefore possible to reduce the possibility of cataracts, by wearing sunglasses all the time, and supplementing with anti-oxidants. In a series of studies it was found, that long-term supplementation with vitamin C maintained a healthy lens of the eye.
Source:
Leske, M. C., Chylack, L. T. Jr., et al, Antioxidant Vitamins and Nuclear Opacities: The Longitudinal Study of Cataracts, Journal of Ophthalmology, 1998, May: 105(5): 831-6, University Medical Center, Stony Brook, N.Y..
Macular degeneration is a progressive degeneration of the macular portion of the eye. The macular is the part of the retina which is responsible for fine vision, and is located at the center of the retina. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of severe visual loss in the United States. Usually peripheral and color vision are unaffected. Macular degeneration is the result of free-radical damage. Macular pigment is composed of lutein, and zeaxanthin, both members of the carotenoid family that have been identified in the human lens. Studies have shown that supplementing with Lutein - available in health food stores - has slowed the progress of macular degeneration or even stopped it.
Source:
Landrum, J. T., Bone, R. A., et al, A One Year Study of the Macular Pigment: The Effect of a 140 Day Supplement, ExtEyeRes, 1997, July: 65(1): 57-62.
Posted
by Dr. Steven Felder
