It’s likely that you’ve heard someone tell you, “Eat your carrots, they’re great for eye health.” You might have seen advertisements for nutritional supplements to improve eye health. Are minerals and vitamins beneficial to your eye health and your vision? Continue reading to learn more about eye health supplements and other supplements.
Many claims are made about the beneficial effects of supplements on eye health, yet few studies have been conducted to support these assertions. One exception is Age-Related Eye Disease Studies (AREDS and AREDS2). These are huge studies carried out in collaboration with the National Eye Institute. The results from AREDS 2 were based on what was gained from AREDS and made improvements to the supplement recommendations.
The research were focused on two diseases that have a significant impact on millions of Americans aged-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
AMD is the main cause of loss of vision across the United States. It is a problem that affects over 10 million people. It is mostly associated with age, however some types of macular degeneration can affect younger individuals as well.
AMD occurs when there’s a decline of the light-sensitive cells within the macula region within the retina. This is the region of the eye that’s responsible for:
recording what we see , and then transmitting data to the brain
seeing fine detail
Focusing
Cataracts
It is the result of a cloud that occurs in the cornea of your eyes. It can affect your ability to see clearly enough to be able to complete routine tasks, and it can get more severe over time.
Cataracts are extremely prevalent especially among the elderly. In 2010 24.4 million Americans were diagnosed with cataracts.
Supplements that are recommended
The AREDS2 and AREDS2 studies examined the effects of high doses of a variety of antioxidants, taken over several years. The recommendations that came from AREDS2 included:
This supplement formula comes in the form of a capsule, and is typically consumed twice daily.
Results
Participants who participated in the AREDS2 study used one of the four formulations which were found to be likely to be useful during this AREDS study. The clearer eye supplement was taken by each participant every day for five years.
For participants in the study, the chance of developing AMD and severe vision loss decreased by 25 percent over the course of six years. For those with AMD it was only slowed in those who have moderate AMD. Supplements weren’t effective for those with moderate or advanced levels of AMD.
In addition, the supplements utilized in the study didn’t stop AMD or reverse vision loss.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin supplements used in the AREDS2 formulation have been shown as reducing eye surgery requirements by 32 per cent for patients who had initially inadequate amounts of carotenoids.
The results were encouraging and showed that there are some advantages to certain supplements, however they aren’t beneficial for every person. Further research is required to understand the relationship between eye health and supplements.
These supplements, which include the antioxidants contained in AREDS2 capsules has been proven to be beneficial to certain individuals.
1. Lutein and the zeaxanthin
Lutein as well as Zeaxanthin both are carotenoids. Carotenoids are pigments that can be found in the plant kingdom and also within your retina. The addition of these pigments can help boost the density of your retina. They also absorb ultraviolet and blue light, which can harm your eyes.
2. Zinc
In addition to being naturally present in the eyes Zinc is a potent antioxidant that guards against cell damage. Zinc is the principal mineral found in the AREDS2 formulation. If you take zinc the absorption of copper is reduced. It is suggested that zinc be taken in conjunction with copper supplements.
3. Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
Vitamin B1 is crucial to the eye health. There is evidence to suggest that vitamin B1 along alongside other vitamins, could lower the risk of developing cataracts, however more research is needed.
It is known as one of the “anti-stress” B vitamins, vitamin B1 helps reduce inflammation.
Initial research suggests it could be effective treatment for uveitis, an eye inflammation condition that could lead to blindness.
4. Omega-3 fat acids
The diet of a majority of Americans does not contain enough omega-3 fatty acids. The principal source of which is fish. The retina’s photoreceptor cells have a significant amount of omega-3 fatty acids. It is considered the fact that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a kind of omega-3 fatty acid aids in the growth in retinal cells. It is also believed to play the ability to reduce inflammation, and in helping the retinal cells and cornea to heal and replenish following damage caused by the exposure to light and aging.
Many studies show that those who consume more of two omega-3 acid fatty acids, DHA, and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are less likely suffer from AMD. Insufficient levels in omega-3 fats have been linked to dry eye syndrome as well as retinopathy, an eye disease that causes damages to the retina. It has also been proven that babies whose formulas contain DHA improve their vision than infants who do not receive DHA.
5. Vitamin C
A number of large studies demonstrate that vitamin C can reduce the chance of developing certain kinds of cataracts. One of the studies discovered that a combination of vitamin C along with E supplements decreased the risk of cataracts, and also slowed the development of cataracts.
Diet is the main source of minerals and vitamins. However The National Eye Institute advises that the high doses of vitamin A found in the AREDS2 cannot be obtained through diet only.
Alongside supplements and diet in addition to supplements and diet, there are other ways you can take at home to improve eye health:
Make use of a humidifier inside your home when it is not arid. It is possible to use it in the summer or you might need to make use of it all year depending on the climate you reside in.
Drink plenty of fluids. Although weight recommendations can vary adults should drink generally between 1.5 Liters (6 quarter cups) and 2 Liters (8 1/3 cup) of fluids per day.
Keep your eyes hydrated with artificial tears.
Replace your furnace or air conditioning filters frequently.
Avoid places where the air is dirty or dusty.
Utilize cool compresses or cucumbers or dampened and chilled green and black tea bags to your eyes. Some people prefer calendula tea.
Make sure to consult your eye doctor prior to taking AREDS2. Ophthalmologists are doctors who is specialized in the field of eye health. Your doctor can determine whether the supplements are efficient, in light of the current state of your eyesight.
Since the high doses of AREDS2 may be incompatible with other medications and should not be used by those who suffer from certain ailments, it’s essential to consult with your primary physician also.
There are numerous things you can take care of to improve your eyesight health.
Don’t smoke. Smoking can damage the blood vessels of the eyes, which can cause macular degeneration, cataracts, and other eye problems.
Keep your eyes safe from UV light. Wear sunglasses while you’re outside and stay clear of looking directly into the bright light sources.
Maintain a healthy weight , and an active life style.
After the age of 60, you should have an eye exam that is dilated every year.
Be sure to include in your diet plenty of leafy green fruits, vegetables, corn, spinach eggs, oranges, eggs yellow carrots. These are foods that contain high levels of nutrients, such as those contained inside the AREDS2 formulation.