Posted on October 16, 2007 in Nutrition For Eyes
Use of eye vitamins can be of immense help in ensuring the health of the eyes for an extended period of time. Vitamins for the eyes can as well aid in averting numerous eye ailments.
Preventing Night Blindness
- Vitamin A is a crucial nutrient for night vision.
- In the retina, under rods and cones that are light sensitive there is a colored compound known as rhodopsin, of which vitamin A is a major constituent.
- Whenever light strikes the rhodopsin, a reaction occurs that transmits visual messages by means of the optic nerve to the brain.
- Throughout every reaction vitamin A is lost and the body must refill it so that the brain obtains constant messages.
- Night blindness can take place if the body has not amassed sufficient vitamin A.
- Apart from averting night blindness, vitamin A can hinder the formation of cataracts in addition to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Animal products or plant products like leafy, dark green or orange vegetables are ideal sources of Vitamin A. Such types of plants rich in Vitamin A are spinach and carrots. These types of vegetables possess a high level of beta-carotene that the body transforms into vitamin A. It is crucial to note that large quantities of vitamin A should not be ingested directly, as this can be toxic. In its place, try to find food rich in beta-carotene as this is regarded as a safer, indirect source of vitamin A.
Free radicals are absorbed by antioxidants before they can inflict damage on the body. Free radicals are molecules that develop when oxygen and food is processed by the body. If unchecked, these molecules can trigger cellular damage.
Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant vitamin. Latest studies reveal that vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, can diminish the threat of cataracts, glaucoma and AMD. Vitamin C is present in all cells of the body, but is highly concentrated in the lens of the eye. The body also needs Vitamin C at the point where the muscles that cause eye movement connect with the sclera, or the white portion of the eye. Citrus fruits, berries, potatoes and green, leafy vegetables are rich in Vitamin C.
Vitamin E can be amassed in the body’s fat tissues and can aid in averting cataracts and AMD. Crucial sources of vitamin E consist of nuts, seeds, grains, green leafy vegetables and vegetable oil.
Beta-carotene- the two major carotenoid antioxidants that are helpful in preventing AMD are lutein and zeaxanthin. As the body is unable to yield either substance, they must be attained with the help of diet. They are present predominantly in leafy, green vegetables for example spinach, collard greens, kale and fresh parsley, or in yellow fruits and vegetables such as corn and squash.
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May 8th, 2009 at 6:49 am
Eyes are the most precious organ in human body according to me…I think we all should take really good care of it to keep it healthy..