Vitamins and Supplements for Healthy Eyes

The role of nutrition on our overall health has been studied and researched for decades and researchers have concluded that a person's balance of nutrients has a profound effect on disease prevention, good eye health and even in the healing process. Vitamins, minerals and supplements for the eyes are no exception to that consensus. Studies have shown that vitamins and overall good nutrition are a key factor in the general health of ones eyes. Good nutrition will improve already poor vision and aid in the reduction of macular degeneration caused by the aging process.

If you are concerned about macular degeneration and your aging eyes, you need to be aware of the benefits of certain vitamins and minerals that can help maintain and restore good eye health. Researchers have identified several vitamins that have the potential of having a tremendous therapeutic effect on the eyes. These vitamins, minerals and supplements appear to protect, support and even improve good eye health; vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, Zinc and a mineral called Selenium.

Selenium

Selenium is a trace mineral that the human body needs to boost immunity and fight off infections. Selenium also protects and prevents macular degeneration and cataracts by acting as an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals, which cause damage to the eyes. This mineral is widely used in small doses in vitamins and dietary supplements. Although selenium is an essential mineral, it is toxic in large amounts. As a dietary supplement selenium can be found in cereal, meat, fish, shellfish, eggs and nuts. Selenium is also found in crab, lobster and tuna in high levels and is a great way to get selenium into your body.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is widely known as the best eye vitamin and is absolutely necessary for good eye health. In human bodies, vitamin A is needed by the retina to ensure proper functions. There are two sources of dietary vitamin A that go by the names "retinoids and carotenoids" and can be found in fruits and vegetables that have orange, dark green or yellow pigments including beta-carotene. So when your mom tells you to eat your carrots for healthy vision, remember that mom knows best and the old saying is quite true.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is absorbed in every single cell and tissue of the human body and is one of the most vital vitamins our bodies need. Studies have shown that vitamin C prevents cataracts when taken in a daily dose of 300 to 600 mg by 70%. Vitamin C also plays a role in the delay of onset of macular degeneration and shows a reduction of eye pressure in glaucoma patients. Most Americans believe the quintessential source of vitamin C is in orange juice. Although orange juice is a good source for getting vitamin C, there are several other vegetables that have a higher value of vitamin C than orange juice and they are broccoli, turnip greens, kale, collard greens, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and cabbage.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant and studies have proven that regularly taking vitamin E will reduce the risk of developing cataract by half. These studies have also shown that the use of vitamin C and E together protects the eyes against harmful UV rays. There is an inflammation of the eye called Uveitis that can be reduced by taking vitamin E. The best source of vitamin E comes from wheat germ, but is also found in collard greens, kale and spinach in high levels as well.

Zinc

Zinc is an essential chemical element that is naturally found in some of the foods we eat, it is also available as a dietary supplement. Out of the entire human body, the eyes contain the most concentration of zinc and it is vital to maintain good eye health. As a food source zincs highest concentration can be found in oysters, but poultry and red meat provide most Americans with their daily allowances of zinc.

As you can see these five vitamins and supplements are essential for good eye health and they play a critical role in the protection and support of the eyes.

References for this article came from webelements.com and allaboutvision.com