Eye Health, Vitamins, Supplements
Posted by: Invision Optometry in Category Eye Health
The health of your eyes is important to your overall happiness and well-being. Especially when you consider that 80% of the information we take in is through our eyes. They are truly amazing organs that we often take for granted. And, because the eyes are subject to stress and injury just like other organs in the body, when they are not taken care of, they can lose their full potential. For this reason, the importance of their health cannot be overlooked. Good eye health starts with proper nutrition. That’s because your eyes are unique, and have their own set of nutritional needs. While nothing beats getting nourishment from the foods we eat, most of us have a few nutritional gaps in our diets. For this reason, taking vitamins and mineral supplements can help make up for deficiencies that can be harmful to eye health. With this in mind, we offer some insight on some of the best eye and vision vitamins and supplements.
Vitamins for Eye Health
It would be nice if we all ate enough fruits, vegetables, and other nutrient-dense foods. But, because the eyes are complex organs that need many different vitamins and nutrients to function properly, making sure they have what they need to support healthy vision is important. Vitamins for eye health include:
- Zeaxanthinone of the most common carotenoids found in nature, and is one of the two carotenoids (besides lutein) that accumulate in the macular region of the retina Learn More
- Luteinan oxygenated carotenoid in vegetables and fruits, is also found in the macula of the eye, where it is believed to act as a yellow filter Learn More
- Omega-3 Fatty Acidsinclude alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) found in plant oils, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) found in marine oils, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) found in marine oils Learn More
- Vitamin E found naturally in some foods, is a fat-soluble vitamin with potent antioxidant properties Learn More
- Zinca nutrient that people need to stay healthy, has a role in retinal metabolism Learn More
- Niacinalso called (vitamin B3) is found naturally in many foods and helps turn what you eat into the energy you need Learn More
- Bioflavonoids are a common group of plant polyphenols that give color and flavor to fruits and vegetables Learn More
How They Support Vision
There are several different vitamins, many of which your body makes naturally, that can be taken as supplements to enhance your overall health and vision.
- Vitamin A: a precursor to beta carotene, important for normal vision, can reduce inflammation, protect the eye’s surface, enhance function of the immune system, and lead to better night vision
- B Vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, choline, biotin, and folic acid, can help to lower inflammation and therefore decrease vascular problems involving the retina of the eye
- Vitamin C: a powerful antioxidant that may protect your eyes against damaging free radicals, it’s required to make collagen, a protein that provides structure to your eye, particularly in the cornea and sclera, it can also lower your risk for developing cataracts
- Vitamin E: an antioxidant found in nuts, fortified cereals and greens, plays an important an important role in protecting certain parts of the eye, believed to protect eye cells from unstable molecules called free radicals, which break down healthy eye tissue
- Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids: (DHA and EPA) serve to improve retinal function, visual development, and may also help to improve dry eyes and degradation of the retina
- Lutein & Zeaxanthin: antioxidants and carotenoids located in the eyes, help to filter out blue light, can help minimize the risk for developing eye diseases like cataracts or AMD
- Zinc: may enhance night vision as well as aid the body in producing protective pigment known as melanin in the eyes, also helps your body absorb and use vitamin A better
- Phytochemical Antioxidants: may help prevent or delay the progression of eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts and age-related muscular degeneration
Choosing Supplements That Are Good For Your Eyes
Because your eyes are unique, and have their own set of nutritional needs, choosing the right supplements for your eyes can be somewhat overwhelming. For this reason, getting the right level of vitamins and minerals for your eyes can be easily achieved by consulting with your optometrist.
Achieving Better Eye Health Longer
Getting the daily recommended dose of so many different vitamins and minerals can be a challenge. Don’t take your eyes for granted! Book an eye exam to find out if eye vitamins and supplements might be right for you. Contact us at (619) 222-2020 to learn how we can help you see your best.
