Eat Right for Better Eye Health
A healthy, fit lifestyle is good for your entire body, but did you know the foods you eat can actually affect your eye health?
Taking care of your eyes should be a priority just like eating healthy and exercising regularly, says Dr. Mark Whitten of Whitten Laser Eye. Your ocular health is just as important as general health, but is often ignored.
Dr. Mark Whitten offers all-encompassing eye care, in addition to lasik surgery, and wants to help you ensure overall eye health. Dr. Whitten reminds his patients that repeated and prolonged exposure to the sun, poor diet and other factors can irreparably damage their vision. And all eyes can benefit from good nutrition.
This summer, Dr. Mark Whitten encourages you to make your eye health a priority by educating yourself on ways to protect your vision.
Nutrients in certain foods can directly benefit your eyes, from vision to moisture. Supplements can also help, but vitamin-rich foods are ideal because they are digested more efficiently, giving you the full effect of their positive nutrients.
Dr. Mark Whitten at Whitten Laser Eye has several suggestions for eating the right foods for your eyes.
Carrots
Carrots are the most well-known food to benefit your eyes. Carrots are rich in vitamin A, a strong nutrient that helps your vision. Just remember: vitamin A isn’t only found in carrots. You can also get it in milk, cheese, egg yolk and liver.Fish
Combat dry eyes, macular degeneration and cataracts with salmon, tuna, sardines and mackeral. These fish are full of omega-3 fatty acids. This nutrient can be taken in fish oil supplements, or those containing black currant seed oil or flaxseed oil.Leafy Greens
Lutein and zeaxanthin are found in spinach, kale and collard greens and can slow the development of macular degeneration and cataracts. You can find these nutrients in broccoli, peas and avocados, too.Eggs
This is another source of both lutein and vitamin A. Eggs may help protect against blindness and dry eyes.Whole Grains
Get rid of refined carbohydrates in your diet and make room for quinoa, brown rice, whole oats and whole-wheat breads and pasta. You’ll get more vitamin E, zinc and niacin for your overall eye health, and may slow age-related macular degeneration, says Dr. Whitten.Seeds and Nuts
Look for almonds, pistachios and walnuts for omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E that boost your eye health. Sunflower seeds contain vitamin E and zinc, which can prevent eye diseases.Fruits and Vegetables
Look for citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, lemons and berries, which are high in vitamin C and may reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. Colorful foods like carrots, tomatoes, bell peppers, strawberries, pumpkin, corn and cantaloupe are packed with vitamins A and C. Carotenoids make these foods colorful, and can reduce the risk of many eye diseases.
