Four Tips to Protect Your Eyesight as You Age

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http://www.mercola.com/2004/jan/7/eyesight.htm

 

 

Four Tips to Protect Your Eyesight as You Age

 

 

 

By Dr. Joseph Mercola

with Rachael Droege

 

 

 

Of all the five senses, most people would least want to lose their sight. Eyes

provide not only a window to the world, but also a means to discovering new

things. As such, losing their eyesight is one of the common concerns that people

have as they age. Let’s first be clear that simply aging doesn’t mean that your

eyesight will diminish, as there are plenty of people in their 80s and beyond

who still have good eyesight. However, as you age changes can indeed occur that

may weaken your ability to see.

 

 

 

For those who are fortunate enough to have their eyesight, here are some tips to

help keep your eyes strong and in good health no matter what your age.

 

 

 

Take Fish Oil Regularly

 

A fat found in fish called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may help protect and

promote healthy retinal function. DHA is concentrated in the eye’s retina and

has been found to be particularly useful in preventing macular degeneration, the

leading cause of blindness.

 

I don’t recommend eating fish due to the concerns of mercury and other toxins

that have been found in fish from oceans, lakes and streams and farm-raised

fish. The exception is fish that you have had lab-tested [TOM LINK TO SALMON] to

ensure it is free from contamination.

 

The best choice is to take a high-quality fish oil, or cod liver oil, regularly.

Both fish oil and cod liver oil are rich in DHA and EPA, and the fish oils I

recommend are purified to the highest standards so you don’t need to worry about

contaminants. At this time of year you will likely benefit from cod liver oil,

which contains vitamin D that many are deficient in at this time of year, but

you will want have your vitamin D levels tested to be sure.

 

Get Plenty of Lutein

 

Lutein is a carotenoid found in vegetables and fruits. While beta-carotene,

another carotenoid, is commonly thought of as important for vision health,

lutein may be even more important.

 

Lutein, which is found in particularly large quantities in green, leafy

vegetables, acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from free radical damage.

If you eat a healthy diet, you should receive more than enough lutein from the

food you eat.

 

Unfortunately, most Americans don’t eat enough healthy foods and therefore don’t

get enough lutein. This is particularly true if you rely on fast food as a

staple part of your diet.

 

This is easily remedied by adding lutein-rich foods to your diet. Some excellent

sources include kale, collard greens, spinach, broccoli, brussels sprouts and

egg yolks, particularly raw egg yolks. Egg yolks also have zeaxanthin, another

carotenoid, in an equal amount to lutein. Zeaxanthin is likely to be equally as

effective as lutein in protecting eyesight.

 

It is important to note that lutein is an oil-soluble nutrient, and if you

merely consume the above vegetables without some oil or butter you can't absorb

the lutein. If you are consuming vegetable juice, it would be wise to use cod

liver oil in the juice to maximize your lutein absorption, as well as the

absorption of other important nutrients like vitamin K.

 

Eat Dark Colored Berries

 

Not only do berries taste great, but also the compounds that give them their

dark color are great for your health. The European blueberry, bilberry, is known

to prevent and even reverse macular degeneration, and bioflavonoids from other

dark-colored berries including blueberries, cranberries and others will also be

beneficial.

 

They work by strengthening the capillaries that carry nutrients to eye muscles

and nerves.

 

You can either eat berries whole (be careful not to eat too many at once due to

their sugar content) or consume them in liquid form in Living Fuel Rx Super

Berry, which contains the same concentrated sources of vitamins, minerals,

proteins, essential fats, enzymes, co-enzymes, herbs, botanical extracts, and

soluble and insoluble plant fibers as the original Living Fuel Rx but now has

the added nutrition and great taste of organic blueberries, cranberries,

strawberries and raspberries. Each serving contains 120 to 130 grams of whole,

organic berries that are freeze-dried and powdered.

 

Avoid Trans Fat

 

A diet high in trans fat appears to contribute to macular degeneration. Trans

fat may interfere with omgega-3 fats in your body, which are extremely important

for your eye health.

 

Trans fat is found in many processed foods and baked goods, including margarine,

shortening, fried foods like french fries, fried chicken and doughnuts, cookies,

pastries and crackers.

 

 

Related Articles:

How Can You Prevent the Most Common Cause of Blindness?

 

Steps to Remedy Macular Degeneration

 

Bad Fats Increase Risk of Blindness

 

Fosamax Type Osteoporosis Drugs Noted to Cause Serious Eye Problems

 

Millions of People Get Wrong Prescription for Glasses

 

Chlamydia May Also Cause Age-Related Macular Degeneration

 

 

 

 

 

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