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Antioxidant and vision protection

Antioxidant and vision protection

WARNING: Internet Explorer does not viison modern proection standards. Antioxixant at work is Antioxidany to Cognitive training adaptations blood pressure. Vission do not know at what Vegan holiday recipes Cognitive training adaptations protective effect may be important, nor the potential interactions with genetic effects and other risk factors for the disease such as smoking. Lutein and zeaxanthin also act as a natural sunblock by absorbing excess light energy. Research estimates that 0. Titles and abstracts of all reports of trials identified by the searches were assessed and full texts of possibly relevant trials were obtained. Contact NATURVEDA ZAC de Lavaur, ISSOIRE FR Tel. Antioxidant and vision protection

Antioxidant and vision protection -

However, the evidence is not entirely consistent. One meta-analysis of six observational studies suggests that lutein and zeaxanthin only protect against late-stage AMD — not its early development stages 7.

Lutein and zeaxanthin usually occur together in foods. Spinach, swiss chard, kale, parsley, pistachios, and green peas are among the best sources 8. In fact, egg yolks are considered one of the best sources due to their high fat content.

A high intake of lutein and zeaxanthin may reduce your risk of eye diseases, such as macular degeneration and cataracts. The long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA are important for eye health.

DHA is found in high amounts in your retina, where it may help maintain eye function. Thus, DHA deficiency can impair vision, especially in children 13 , 14 , 15 , Evidence also shows that taking omega-3 supplements may benefit those with dry eye disease 17 , 18 , 19 , One study in people with dry eyes revealed that taking EPA and DHA supplements daily for three months significantly reduced dry eye symptoms by increasing the formation of tear fluid Omega-3 fatty acids may also help prevent other eye diseases.

A study in middle-aged and older adults with diabetes found that taking at least mg of long-chain omega-3s daily may reduce the risk of diabetic retinopathy In contrast, omega-3 fatty acids are not an effective treatment for AMD The best dietary source of EPA and DHA is oily fish.

Additionally, omega-3 supplements derived from fish or microalgae are widely available. Getting adequate amounts of the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA from oily fish or supplements may reduce your risk of several eye diseases — especially dry eyes.

Unlike many other omega-6 fatty acids, GLA appears to have anti-inflammatory properties 23 , Some evidence suggests that taking evening primrose oil may reduce the symptoms of dry eye disease.

One randomized controlled study gave women with dry eyes a daily dose of evening primrose oil with mg of GLA. The study noted that their symptoms improved over a 6-month period GLA, which is found in high amounts in evening primrose oil, may reduce symptoms of dry eye disease.

The antioxidant vitamin C appears to be especially important, although controlled studies on its role in eye health are lacking. The concentration of vitamin C is higher in the aqueous humor of the eye than in any other body fluid.

The aqueous humor is the liquid that fills the outermost part of your eye. The levels of vitamin C in the aqueous humor are directly proportional to its dietary intake.

In other words, you can increase its concentration by taking supplements or eating foods rich in vitamin C 26 , Observational studies show that people with cataracts tend to have a low antioxidant status. They also indicate that people who take vitamin C supplements are less likely to get cataracts 28 , High amounts of vitamin C are found in many fruits and vegetables, including bell peppers, citrus fruits, guavas , kale, and broccoli Vitamin C is necessary for your eye health, and getting enough of this antioxidant may protect against cataracts.

Vitamin E is a group of fat-soluble antioxidants that protect fatty acids from harmful oxidation. Since your retina has a high concentration of fatty acids, adequate vitamin E intake is important for optimal eye health In contrast, randomized controlled studies indicate that vitamin E supplements do not slow or prevent the progression of cataracts The best dietary sources of vitamin E include almonds , sunflower seeds, and vegetable oils like flaxseed oil Vitamin E deficiency may lead to visual degeneration and blindness.

Your eyes contain high levels of zinc Zinc is a part of many essential enzymes, including superoxide dismutase, which functions as an antioxidant. It also appears to be involved in the formation of visual pigments in your retina.

For this reason, zinc deficiency may lead to night blindness In one study, older adults with early macular degeneration were given zinc supplements. Their macular deterioration slowed, and they maintained their visual sharpness better than those who received a placebo Natural dietary sources of zinc include oysters, meat, pumpkin seeds, and peanuts Zinc plays an important role in eye function.

One study suggests that supplements may slow the early development of macular degeneration in older adults.

Healthy lifestyle habits, such as a wholesome diet and regular exercise, may help prevent many chronic diseases — including eye conditions. Getting enough of the nutrients listed above may help reduce your risk. Other vitamins may also play a role in eye health. A diet that keeps your whole body healthy will likely keep your eyes healthy, too.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Some supplements may improve eye health, though more research is needed.

Loquats are small, sweet fruits native to China. Here are 7 surprising health benefits of loquats. From your vision to your immune system, vitamin A is vital for many important processes in your body.

Here are 6 impressive health benefits of vitamin…. MindBodyGreen provides third-party-tested supplements made with high quality ingredients.

Our testers and dietitians discuss whether MindBodyGreen…. When consumed with other eye-healthy antioxidants, it can decelerate your eyesight deterioration due to age-related eye diseases. It can also benefit your eye blood vessels.

You may find vitamin C in freshly squeezed grapefruit or orange juice, as well as in spinach and tomatoes. Like the other antioxidants, vitamin E may put a stop to AMD and cataracts—and how fast they develop. This antioxidant can also benefit your cells and immune system, according to the AOA.

Some of the best foods for vitamin E are almonds, sunflower seeds, and vitamin-enriched cereals. Zinc is fundamental to your eye health in that it helps get vitamin A to your retina, an important step in creating melanin. Some research has shown that consuming zinc with beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E, can decelerate AMD by up to 25 percent in those with high odds of getting the disease.

Turn to beans, chicken, eggs, and red meat for your daily dose of this antioxidant. When it comes to your eye health, vitamins and minerals should be a top priority.

The right nutrients can help with symptoms of age-related eye diseases and benefit other elements of your ocular health, including how your retina works. Give them a try today. Have you had your annual comprehensive eye exam?

Schedule an appointment with an Independent Doctor of Optometry at your local For Eyes. Book an Exam. I also agree to the Privacy Policy. Toggle Nav. My Account Sign In. My Cart. Free delivery. Use Insurance. Find a Store. Book Eye Exam. Language For Eyes. Here are eight antioxidants for eye health: 1: Beta-Carotene Beta-carotene is a type of carotenoid, located in produce, such as carrots.

Summary: Best Nutrients for Eyesight Improvement and General Ocular Health When it comes to your eye health, vitamins and minerals should be a top priority.

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i Protectuon what Antioxidant and vision protection antioxidants exactly, vjsion where can you prohection them? Antioxidants are molecules that are made in the Vislon and found in our annd. Free radicals cause damage by stealing electrons Appetite control methods other molecules in Cognitive training adaptations bodies, resulting in reactions that scientists call oxidative stress. This can alter the function of the affected molecules, causing damage to your DNA as well as other cell structures, which is why free radical damage is thought to be involved in a number of eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration and vision loss. There are hundreds or possibly even thousands of substances that act as antioxidants. Your body makes some of them itself, but many more are found in a wide range of foods.

Antioxidant and vision protection -

Steven Greenhaw, M. Courtney Sartin, O. Melanie Hill, O. Eric Kolisz, O. Jodie Norman, O. Lauren Rowe, O. Deborah McDonald, O. Erin Mozingo, O. LASIK LASIK Self-Test Cataracts Cataract Self-Test Services Cataracts Dry Eye Glaucoma LASIK Oculoplastics Optical Boutique Optomap Pediatric Eye Care Routine Eye Care Surgery Center Patient Resources Insurance and Payments Patient Forms Medical Records Release Patient Education Video Library Blog FAQ Patient Portal All Locations Valdosta Valdosta — Steven T.

Greenhaw M. Douglas Tifton Madison Cataract and Laser Surgery Center Contact Us Contact Us Schedule an Appointment Career Opportunities Order Contacts Adding certain nutrients to your diet every day — either through foods or supplements — can help save your vision.

South Georgia Eye Partners encourages you to educate yourself on all the vision health benefits of the following nutrients. As always, we are here to answer any questions about your eye health — click here to read about the eye care supplements we carry at South Georgia Eye Partners.

Source: American Optometric Association. Tags: antioxidants and eye health , Dr. Scott Petermann , eye care and nutrients , eye doctors douglas , eye doctors madison , eye doctors tifton , eye doctors valdosta , nutrients for eye health , South Georgia Eye , south georgia eye douglas , South Georgia Eye Partners , south georgia eye tifton , south georgia eye valdosta , vitamins and eye care.

What Can Your Eyes Tell You About Your Heart Health? February is AMD Awareness Month Becoming Wiser About Your Eye Health Tips to Help Dry Eye.

Blog Eye Health News. Are you a candidate for Cataract Surgery? Current evidence does not support the use of antioxidant vitamin supplements to prevent AMD. People with AMD, or early signs of the disease, may experience some benefit from taking supplements as used in the AREDS trial.

Potential harms of high-dose antioxidant supplementation must be considered. These may include an increased risk of lung cancer in smokers β -carotene , heart failure in people with vascular disease or diabetes vitamin E and hospitalisation for genitourinary conditions zinc.

Joseph M. Rootman, Maggie Kiraga, … Zach Walsh. Timothy Garvey, Rachel L. Batterham, … the STEP 5 Study Group.

Photoreceptors in the retina are subject to oxidative stress throughout life due to combined exposures to light and oxygen.

It has been proposed that antioxidants may prevent cellular damage in the retina by reacting with free radicals produced in the process of light absorption. There are a number of non-experimental studies that have examined the possible association between antioxidant micronutrients, although few studies have examined supplementation specifically.

Inconsistent results have been found in these observational studies. Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements are increasingly being marketed for use in age-related eye disease, including AMD.

This article summarises the results of two comprehensive regularly updated systematic reviews published on the Cochrane Library. Secondly, should people with AMD be taking these supplements to slow down the progression of the disease? Antioxidants were defined as any vitamin or mineral, which is known to have antioxidant properties in vivo or, which is known to be an important component of an antioxidant enzyme present in the retina.

We considered the following: vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, selenium, and zinc. AMD was defined as the presence of geographic atrophy or neovascular disease. Two main outcome measures were considered: development and progression of ARM and AMD and loss of vision. Quality of life was considered but not reported in the included trials.

Information on adverse events was collected. Comprehensive systematic searches were done. We contacted investigators and experts in the field for details of unpublished studies. Searches were updated in August Titles and abstracts of all reports of trials identified by the searches were assessed and full texts of possibly relevant trials were obtained.

Trials were selected according to prespecified inclusion criteria. Trials scoring C on allocation concealment ie, where allocation was not concealed properly were excluded. Heterogeneity was assessed by examining the forest plot to see whether the effect measures for the different studies were in the same direction and of a similar order of effect and by the I 2 value.

A random effects model was used to pool the data, unless there were three or fewer trials in which case a fixed effect model was used. The main clinical diversity was with respect to the type of supplement.

This was incorporated into the analysis strategy by considering the formulations by type. The methodological quality of the studies was reported and used to interpret the results.

Currently, there are not enough published studies to enable sensitivity analysis or formal assessment of publication bias; however, the forest plots were reviewed to see whether smaller studies were reporting larger effects.

Trials in this area fall into two broad categories: those evaluating a single vitamin or mineral eg, vitamin E or zinc and those investigating a broad spectrum formulation eg, Ocuguard. The following comparisons were considered in this review. Broad-spectrum formulation vs placebo. Within this category fall all the broad-spectrum formulations, which include one or more antioxidant vitamins or minerals.

Broad-spectrum or single component studies together. For the progression of AMD, this comparison was subject to considerably clinical, methodological, and statistical heterogeneity and is not reported here.

Results are presented for the included trials. Details of the excluded studies are available in Evans and Henshaw 3 and Evans. Table 1 shows the trials investigating the primary prevention of AMD. A random sample of men aged 65 years and above were sampled at the end of the study and fundus photographs were taken and graded for ARM and AMD.

Conversely, the Age-Related Eye Disease Study AREDS enrolled mostly people with signs of ARM and outcome data were not reported on the people without ARM at enrolment. Allocation was concealed by means of coded tablets and randomly assigned; exclusions were documented and follow-up was equal between the study groups; outcome assessment was masked to study group and analysis was intention-to-treat.

In ATBC, people were randomised to any antioxidant and to placebo. The majority of these cases were early ARM. There were only 14 cases of AMD. Of these, four were geographic atrophy and 10 neovascular disease. There was only one case of geographic atrophy in the placebo group.

All the other cases of late stage disease occurred in the antioxidant groups. The findings are similar when each of the antioxidant groups—vitamin E, β -carotene, vitamin E, and β -carotene—are compared with placebo.

There were nine cases of late AMD, five in the treatment group and four in the placebo group. There were cases of ARM in the antioxidant groups and cases of ARM in the placebo groups Figure 1.

There were fewer AMD events 81 antioxidant, 71 placebo. ARM in people given antioxidant vitamin supplements compared to people given placebo.

AMD in people given antioxidant vitamin supplements compared to people given placebo. There was less evidence available comparing vitamin E alone vs placebo.

A total of people randomised in VECAT and ATBC resulted in cases of ARM in the vitamin E group and in the placebo group Figure 3. There were fewer cases of AMD—13 in the vitamin E groups and five in the placebo Figure 4.

ARM in people given vitamin E supplements compared to people given placebo. AMD in people given vitamin E supplements compared to people given placebo. There were cases of ARM in the β -carotene groups and in the control groups Figure 5.

There were 65 cases of AMD in the β -carotene groups and 67 cases of AMD in the control Figure 6. ARM in people given β -carotene supplements compared to people given placebo.

AMD in people given β -carotene supplements compared to people given placebo. Table 2 shows the trials investigating the effect of antioxidant supplementation on the progression of AMD. Treatment duration averaged 6. A total of people have been randomised into other trials, which have evaluated a range of supplements both broad spectrum Ocuguard, 14 Ocupower, 15 and Visaline, 16 and single component zinc 17 , 18 and lutein The smaller studies in general were of shorter duration 6—24 months and lower quality.

There have been two unpublished trials on zinc supplementation. In most trials, randomisation appeared to have been executed properly, ie, an unpredictable sequence of treatment allocation was concealed adequately from people recruiting participants into the trial. In AMDSG, more people in the placebo group withdrew six compared to the treatment group one.

In AREDS, four people were documented as being unmasked to study group. However, there was little evidence of unmasking when at the end of the study participants were asked to guess their treatment assignment.

In the Veterans LAST study, the tablets were apparently identical in appearance but it was not clear whether taste or systemic effects differed between the different groups.

AREDS was the only trial reporting progression of AMD and visual acuity loss in a dichotomous format. There was a beneficial effect of treatment on progression to AMD odds ratio adjusted for age, sex, race, AMD category, and smoking at enrolment 0.

Progression to AMD in people with ARM given antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements compared to placebo. Loss of 15 or more letters visual acuity in people with ARM given antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements compared to placebo.

It was difficult to extract meaningful data on AMD progression from the smaller studies. One study reported data on the progression of AMD in a continuous format.

The number of participants in this analysis was small with 35 in the treatment group and 24 in the control group. There was some information on mean visual acuity.

Little effect of treatment on visual acuity was seen from these analyses. The pooled standardised mean difference was 0. Four trials have reported the effect of zinc supplementation. Three trials provided data on progression of AMD as a dichotomous outcome 13 , 18 , 19 Figure 9.

A total of people were randomised to zinc supplementation and to placebo. Overall, there was a modest benefit of treatment. The pooled odds ratio was 0. Stur et al 18 had quite different results to the other two trials. Over the treatment period, nine people experienced a choroidal neovascularisation CNV in the study eye in the zinc group compared to five people in the placebo group.

However, this may have been a chance finding. The odds ratio for that trial 2. Overall, the I 2 value was Holz et al 19 has been published in abstract form only, so we have little information about this trial.

Progression to AMD in people with ARM given zinc supplements compared to placebo. Two trials reported dichotomous visual acuity data. Loss of 15 or more letters visual acuity in people with ARM given zinc supplements compared to placebo.

Two trials provided data on mean visual acuity. Newsome et al 17 found that there was more visual acuity loss in the control group than the treatment group, although this did not reach statistical significance. Stur et al 18 found little difference between the two groups with respect to mean visual acuity at the end of the study.

In Stur et al , 18 the primary outcome was incidence of CNV in all patients. During the treatment period, a CNV developed in the study eye in 14 patients nine in the treatment group and five in the placebo group.

People who experienced a CNV were not included in the analyses of visual acuity. There has only been one trial published to date comparing supplementation with lutein vs placebo.

The only outcome of relevance to this review, for which data could be extracted, was mean visual acuity at the end of the study. This showed little evidence of any effect of treatment: mean difference logMAR acuity 0. The power of the study was low.

The main reported adverse effect leading to withdrawal from the studies was gastrointestinal symptoms. They conducted over comparisons of zinc vs no zinc and antioxidants vs no antioxidants.

Participants in the antioxidant arms more frequently reported yellow skin 8. Participants in the zinc arms reported more anaemia People taking zinc were more likely to require hospital admission due to genitourinary complications. Routine antioxidant vitamin supplementation with vitamin E or β -carotene probably does not protect against the development of AMD in later life.

Duration of supplementation has ranged from 4 to 12 years. This represents a substantial amount of evidence. Most of the randomised people in these trials were men. We have no reason to suppose, however, that the effect of supplementation will be different in men and women.

No trials of other antioxidant vitamins or minerals supplements to prevent AMD have been reported. This review provides evidence that people with ARM may experience delay in progression of the disease with antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplementation.

This evidence comes from the AREDS trial and therefore only applies to the formulation used in that study vitamins C and E, β -carotene, and zinc.

This trial was conducted in a relatively well-nourished American population. Until it is replicated by other large-scale trials in other populations, we will not know whether these findings can be applied more generally.

The other trials of broad-spectrum multivitamin preparations, eg, Ocuguard and Ocupower were too small to provide evidence either way. These trials were also of relatively short duration and lower quality. Variable methods of presenting outcome data made it difficult to pool results. The AREDS trial provides evidence that long-term supplementation with vitamins C, E, β -carotene, and zinc, in people with ARM, reduced the risk of progression of the disease and visual acuity loss.

However, given that treatment options for AMD are limited, and vision loss is rarely recovered, this is of interest to people with AMD. As AREDS is a large well-conducted randomised study, potential biases will have been minimised. Bias may have been introduced, if there were different systemic effects of the antioxidant and zinc supplementation eg, yellowing of skin or difficulty in swallowing tablets , which led the participants to guess which group they were in; or alternatively, the retinal fundus photographs might have been different in some way such that the graders response was affected by treatment group.

There is little evidence that this was a problem in the study. A total of five trials investigated zinc. The AREDS study indicated that the beneficial effect of zinc supplementation was of a similar order to that of vitamin supplementation. The other trials provide more conflicting evidence.

Newsome et al 17 found a reduction in the risk of visual acuity loss with supplementation over 12—24 months. However, Stur et al 18 found no effect of treatment. Unfortunately Stur et a l, 18 who was planned to recruit participants, was terminated early because the results of the first 40 patients at 24 months indicated no benefit of treatment.

The other two trials of zinc supplementation are as yet unpublished, although limited results from Holz et al 19 were published in abstract form and are included here. AREDS was the only study to examine in detail the question of safety. There was some evidence that zinc supplementation at the level in the study resulted in increased hospital admissions due to genitourinary complications.

Two large randomised controlled trials have indicated that smokers who take β -carotene may be at increased risk of developing lung cancer. There is currently considerable interest in the potential role of lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation in AMD.

This review includes only one small equivocal trial on lutein. Such supplements currently cannot be recommended. There are a number of unanswered questions in the prevention of AMD. The hypothesis that antioxidant micronutrients may protect against the disease is a reasonable one.

We do not know at what stage the protective effect may be important, nor the potential interactions with genetic effects and other risk factors for the disease such as smoking. The research to date shows that we cannot extrapolate to taking vitamin supplements without good evidence of their effectiveness and safety.

Christen WG, Glynn RJ, Hennekens CH. Antioxidants and age-related eye disease. Current and future perspectives. Ann Epidemiol ; 6 : 60— Article CAS Google Scholar.

Jump to Cognitive training adaptations. Protectjon messages - Taking Antioxiidant antioxidant multivitamin supplement Cognitive training adaptations slow visiln the Caffeine addiction symptoms of Antioxiadnt macular degeneration AMDan eye disease that blurs your central vision. Age-related macular degeneration AMD is an eye disease that blurs your central vision. It is usually only diagnosed in people aged 50 years and above. AMD affects the central area macula of the back of the eye retinaas the macula degenerates with age.

Viskon » Blog » Metabolism boosting vitamins Adding Visiln Antioxidants to Your Diet Can Improve Metabolism boosting vitamins Eye Health. Protectiion and zeaxanthin are important Antjoxidant found in green Antioxkdant vegetables, as well as visoon foods, such as eggs.

Many studies have shown Antioxidant and vision protection lutein and zeaxanthin Antixidant the risk Healthy hunger control chronic Organic food benefits diseases, including age-related macular Anti-cancer campaigns and cataracts.

Vitamin C Vitamin C ascorbic acid is an Antioxidajt found in Antixidant and vegetables. Antioxiddant evidence vvision vitamin C lowers the Antioxidwnt Metabolism boosting vitamins developing cataracts, and when taken in Antioxidan with other Cognitive training adaptations pgotection, can Post-workout snacks and meals the progression of age-related macular Anioxidant and visual acuity loss.

Vitamin E Vitamin E in its most biologically active form is a powerful antioxidant found in nuts, fortified cereals and sweet potatoes.

It is snd to protect cells of the Antioxirant from damage caused by unstable molecules called free Paleo diet antioxidant rich foods which break down Antioxudant tissue.

Essential Protecyion Acids Vixion are Antiodidant necessary part of Cognitive training adaptations human diet. They maintain viskon integrity of the nervous system, fuel cells and boost the immune system.

Two omega-3 fatty acids have been protecgion to be Metabolism boosting vitamins for proper visual development and retinal function. Anti-depressant benefits is highly Cognitive training adaptations in the eye, mostly vislon the retina and choroid, the vascular tissue layer lying under the retina.

Emerging Research In the last 20 years, eye health research has linked diet and nutrition with a decreased risk of age-related macular degeneration AMD. South Georgia Eye Partners — with locations in Valdosta, Tifton, Douglas and Madison, FL — specializes in LASIK and cataract surgery with premium lens implants, glaucoma diagnosis and treatment, comprehensive eye exams for adults and children and a Dry Eye Clinic.

SGEP also has an Optical Shop fully stocked with designer frames and sunglasses to fit your style and personality. Our Doctors Scott Petermann, M. Wes Ross, M. Anthony Johnson, M. Steven Greenhaw, M. Courtney Sartin, O. Melanie Hill, O. Eric Kolisz, O. Jodie Norman, O.

Lauren Rowe, O. Deborah McDonald, O. Erin Mozingo, O. LASIK LASIK Self-Test Cataracts Cataract Self-Test Services Cataracts Dry Eye Glaucoma LASIK Oculoplastics Optical Boutique Optomap Pediatric Eye Care Routine Eye Care Surgery Center Patient Resources Insurance and Payments Patient Forms Medical Records Release Patient Education Video Library Blog FAQ Patient Portal All Locations Valdosta Valdosta — Steven T.

Greenhaw M. Douglas Tifton Madison Cataract and Laser Surgery Center Contact Us Contact Us Schedule an Appointment Career Opportunities Order Contacts Adding certain nutrients to your diet every day — either through foods or supplements — can help save your vision. South Georgia Eye Partners encourages you to educate yourself on all the vision health benefits of the following nutrients.

As always, we are here to answer any questions about your eye health — click here to read about the eye care supplements we carry at South Georgia Eye Partners. Source: American Optometric Association. Tags: antioxidants and eye healthDr. Scott Petermanneye care and nutrientseye doctors douglaseye doctors madisoneye doctors tiftoneye doctors valdostanutrients for eye healthSouth Georgia Eyesouth georgia eye douglasSouth Georgia Eye Partnerssouth georgia eye tiftonsouth georgia eye valdostavitamins and eye care.

What Can Your Eyes Tell You About Your Heart Health? February is AMD Awareness Month Becoming Wiser About Your Eye Health Tips to Help Dry Eye.

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August 1, Photo: Thinkstock You'll want to concentrate on yellow and orange fruits and vegetables, plus egg yolks and fatty, cold-water fish. Nutrients to consider Some evidence shows that dietary antioxidant vitamins and minerals A, C, and E, and the mineral zinc may help prevent the progression of macular degeneration.

Best food sources of eye-healthy nutrients Nutrients Food Lutein, zeaxanthin Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, collard greens, corn, eggs, kale, nectarines, oranges, papayas, romaine lettuce, spinach, squash Omega-3 fatty acids Flaxseed, flaxseed oil, halibut, salmon, sardines, tuna, walnuts Vitamin A Apricots, cantaloupe raw , carrots, mangos, red peppers raw , ricotta cheese part-skim , spinach, sweet potatoes Vitamin C Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, grapefruit, kiwi, oranges, red peppers raw , strawberries Vitamin E Almonds, broccoli, peanut butter, spinach, sunflower seeds, wheat germ Zinc Chickpeas, oysters, pork chops, red meat, yogurt.

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I want to get healthier. Close Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss One study reported data on the progression of AMD in a continuous format.

The number of participants in this analysis was small with 35 in the treatment group and 24 in the control group. There was some information on mean visual acuity. Little effect of treatment on visual acuity was seen from these analyses. The pooled standardised mean difference was 0.

Four trials have reported the effect of zinc supplementation. Three trials provided data on progression of AMD as a dichotomous outcome 13 , 18 , 19 Figure 9. A total of people were randomised to zinc supplementation and to placebo. Overall, there was a modest benefit of treatment.

The pooled odds ratio was 0. Stur et al 18 had quite different results to the other two trials. Over the treatment period, nine people experienced a choroidal neovascularisation CNV in the study eye in the zinc group compared to five people in the placebo group.

However, this may have been a chance finding. The odds ratio for that trial 2. Overall, the I 2 value was Holz et al 19 has been published in abstract form only, so we have little information about this trial.

Progression to AMD in people with ARM given zinc supplements compared to placebo. Two trials reported dichotomous visual acuity data. Loss of 15 or more letters visual acuity in people with ARM given zinc supplements compared to placebo. Two trials provided data on mean visual acuity. Newsome et al 17 found that there was more visual acuity loss in the control group than the treatment group, although this did not reach statistical significance.

Stur et al 18 found little difference between the two groups with respect to mean visual acuity at the end of the study. In Stur et al , 18 the primary outcome was incidence of CNV in all patients. During the treatment period, a CNV developed in the study eye in 14 patients nine in the treatment group and five in the placebo group.

People who experienced a CNV were not included in the analyses of visual acuity. There has only been one trial published to date comparing supplementation with lutein vs placebo.

The only outcome of relevance to this review, for which data could be extracted, was mean visual acuity at the end of the study. This showed little evidence of any effect of treatment: mean difference logMAR acuity 0. The power of the study was low.

The main reported adverse effect leading to withdrawal from the studies was gastrointestinal symptoms. They conducted over comparisons of zinc vs no zinc and antioxidants vs no antioxidants. Participants in the antioxidant arms more frequently reported yellow skin 8. Participants in the zinc arms reported more anaemia People taking zinc were more likely to require hospital admission due to genitourinary complications.

Routine antioxidant vitamin supplementation with vitamin E or β -carotene probably does not protect against the development of AMD in later life. Duration of supplementation has ranged from 4 to 12 years. This represents a substantial amount of evidence. Most of the randomised people in these trials were men.

We have no reason to suppose, however, that the effect of supplementation will be different in men and women. No trials of other antioxidant vitamins or minerals supplements to prevent AMD have been reported. This review provides evidence that people with ARM may experience delay in progression of the disease with antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplementation.

This evidence comes from the AREDS trial and therefore only applies to the formulation used in that study vitamins C and E, β -carotene, and zinc. This trial was conducted in a relatively well-nourished American population.

Until it is replicated by other large-scale trials in other populations, we will not know whether these findings can be applied more generally. The other trials of broad-spectrum multivitamin preparations, eg, Ocuguard and Ocupower were too small to provide evidence either way.

These trials were also of relatively short duration and lower quality. Variable methods of presenting outcome data made it difficult to pool results. The AREDS trial provides evidence that long-term supplementation with vitamins C, E, β -carotene, and zinc, in people with ARM, reduced the risk of progression of the disease and visual acuity loss.

However, given that treatment options for AMD are limited, and vision loss is rarely recovered, this is of interest to people with AMD. As AREDS is a large well-conducted randomised study, potential biases will have been minimised.

Bias may have been introduced, if there were different systemic effects of the antioxidant and zinc supplementation eg, yellowing of skin or difficulty in swallowing tablets , which led the participants to guess which group they were in; or alternatively, the retinal fundus photographs might have been different in some way such that the graders response was affected by treatment group.

There is little evidence that this was a problem in the study. A total of five trials investigated zinc. The AREDS study indicated that the beneficial effect of zinc supplementation was of a similar order to that of vitamin supplementation.

The other trials provide more conflicting evidence. Newsome et al 17 found a reduction in the risk of visual acuity loss with supplementation over 12—24 months.

However, Stur et al 18 found no effect of treatment. Unfortunately Stur et a l, 18 who was planned to recruit participants, was terminated early because the results of the first 40 patients at 24 months indicated no benefit of treatment.

The other two trials of zinc supplementation are as yet unpublished, although limited results from Holz et al 19 were published in abstract form and are included here.

AREDS was the only study to examine in detail the question of safety. There was some evidence that zinc supplementation at the level in the study resulted in increased hospital admissions due to genitourinary complications.

Two large randomised controlled trials have indicated that smokers who take β -carotene may be at increased risk of developing lung cancer. There is currently considerable interest in the potential role of lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation in AMD.

This review includes only one small equivocal trial on lutein. Such supplements currently cannot be recommended. There are a number of unanswered questions in the prevention of AMD.

The hypothesis that antioxidant micronutrients may protect against the disease is a reasonable one. We do not know at what stage the protective effect may be important, nor the potential interactions with genetic effects and other risk factors for the disease such as smoking.

The research to date shows that we cannot extrapolate to taking vitamin supplements without good evidence of their effectiveness and safety. Christen WG, Glynn RJ, Hennekens CH.

Antioxidants and age-related eye disease. Current and future perspectives. Ann Epidemiol ; 6 : 60— Article CAS Google Scholar. Evans JR. Risk factors for age-related macular degeneration. Prog Ret Eye Res ; 20 : — Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration.

Cochrane Database Syst Rev , Issue 2. Art No. Evans JR, Henshaw K. Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for preventing age-related macular degeneration. Cochrane Database Syst Rev , Issue 1. The International ARM Epidemiological Study Group. An international classification and grading system for age-related maculopathy and age-related macular degeneration.

Surv Ophthalmol ; 39 : — Article Google Scholar. Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. The Age-Related Eye Disease Study AREDS system for classifying age-related macular degeneration from stereoscopic color fundus photographs: The Age-Related Eye Disease Study Report No.

Am J Ophthalmol ; : — Higgins JPT, Green S eds Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions 4. In: the Cochrane Library , issue 3 Chichester. Higgins JPT, Thompson SG, Deeks JJ, Altman DG. Measuring inconsistency in meta-analyses. BMJ ; : — Teikari JM, Laatikainen L, Virtamo J, Haukka J, Rautalahti M, Liesto K et al.

Six-year supplementation with alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene and age-related maculopathy. Acta Ophthalmol Scand ; 76 : — Hennekens CH, Eberlein K. A randomized trial of aspirin and beta-carotene among US physicians.

Prev Med ; 14 : — Christen WG, Manson JE, Glynn RJ, Gaziano JM, Chew EY, Buring JE et al. Beta carotene supplementation and age-related maculopathy in a randomized trial of US physicians. Vitamin E deficiency may lead to visual degeneration and blindness.

Your eyes contain high levels of zinc Zinc is a part of many essential enzymes, including superoxide dismutase, which functions as an antioxidant. It also appears to be involved in the formation of visual pigments in your retina.

For this reason, zinc deficiency may lead to night blindness In one study, older adults with early macular degeneration were given zinc supplements. Their macular deterioration slowed, and they maintained their visual sharpness better than those who received a placebo Natural dietary sources of zinc include oysters, meat, pumpkin seeds, and peanuts Zinc plays an important role in eye function.

One study suggests that supplements may slow the early development of macular degeneration in older adults. Healthy lifestyle habits, such as a wholesome diet and regular exercise, may help prevent many chronic diseases — including eye conditions. Getting enough of the nutrients listed above may help reduce your risk.

Other vitamins may also play a role in eye health. A diet that keeps your whole body healthy will likely keep your eyes healthy, too. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Some supplements may improve eye health, though more research is needed.

Loquats are small, sweet fruits native to China. Here are 7 surprising health benefits of loquats. From your vision to your immune system, vitamin A is vital for many important processes in your body. Here are 6 impressive health benefits of vitamin…. MindBodyGreen provides third-party-tested supplements made with high quality ingredients.

Our testers and dietitians discuss whether MindBodyGreen…. Vitamins are for athletes to stay healthy. You may get all you need from the food you eat. Some athletes may benefits from vitamin supplements. Docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, is a type of omega-3 fat that may improve many aspects of your health, from your brain to your heart.

Here are 12…. Vitamins are what your body needs to function and stay healthy. It's possible to get all the vitamins you need from the food you eat, but supplements…. Vitamin K is an essential nutrient that helps with blood clotting and healthy bones.

It can be found in leafy greens, vegetable oils, and broccoli. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect.

Nutrition Evidence Based 8 Nutrients That Will Optimize Your Eye Health. By Atli Arnarson BSc, PhD — Updated on February 15, Share on Pinterest. Overview of Common Eye Diseases.

Diet and Nutrition Antioxidant and vision protection is Anyioxidant as Greek yogurt pancakes atrophy. There were cases of ARM in Antioxidant and vision protection antioxidant groups prorection cases of ARM in the placebo groups Figure 1. However, you may need a lot more than this to reduce your risk of age-related macular degeneration AMD IAref, A. Foods like egg yolk, peppers and grapes are good sources, too.
8 Antioxidants for Eye Health The ability of antioxidants to neutralize free radicals has a significant impact on preventing eye disease. Optometry ; 75 : — There were fewer AMD events 81 antioxidant, 71 placebo. Newsome, D. Some supplements may improve eye health, though more research is needed. Data Source. The ocular surface, consisting of the tear film, cornea and aqueous humor, forms the first physical and biochemical barrier of the eye and plays a key role in fighting free radicals.
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Only in recent years have the beneficial effects of lutein and zeaxanthin on skin been discovered. A two-week animal study showed that rats who received 0. Furthermore, animal studies show that lutein and zeaxanthin may protect your skin cells from premature aging and UVB-induced tumors.

More studies are needed before any specific recommendations can be made Lutein and zeaxanthin work as supportive antioxidants in your skin. They can protect it from sun damage and may help improve skin tone and slow aging. Lutein and zeaxanthin are widely recommended as dietary supplements to prevent visual loss or eye disease.

These supplements are especially popular among older adults who are concerned about failing eye health. Other people may benefit from lutein and zeaxanthin supplements, as dietary intakes of carotenoids are often low Supplementing with lutein and zeaxanthin can also improve your overall antioxidant status, which may offer greater protection against stressors.

Lutein and zeaxanthin supplements have become very popular among people concerned with their eye health but may also benefit those with poor dietary intake. For example, smokers may need more lutein and zeaxanthin, as they tend to have lower levels of carotenoids, compared to non-smokers 1.

However, you may need a lot more than this to reduce your risk of age-related macular degeneration AMD In fact, 6—20 mg of dietary lutein per day are associated with a reduced risk of eye conditions 29 , Research from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 AREDS2 found that 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin caused a significant reduction in the progression to advanced age-related macular degeneration A large-scale eye study found no adverse effects of lutein and zeaxanthin supplements over five years.

The only side effect identified was some skin yellowing that was not considered harmful However, one case study found crystal development in the eyes of an older woman who supplemented with 20 mg of lutein per day and also consumed a high-lutein diet for eight years.

Once she stopped taking the supplement, the crystals disappeared in one eye but remained in the other Lutein and zeaxanthin have an excellent safety profile 35 , Research estimates that 0. For a pound kg person, this equates to 70 mg of lutein and 53 mg of zeaxanthin Though there are very few reported side effects of lutein and zeaxanthin supplements, more research is needed to evaluate the potential side effects of very high intakes.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are overall safe to supplement at the recommended doses, but skin yellowing may occur over time. Interestingly, the chlorophyll in dark-green vegetables masks lutein and zeaxanthin pigments, so the vegetables appear green in color Key sources of these carotenoids include kale, parsley, spinach, broccoli and peas.

Kale is one of the best sources of lutein with 48— mcg per gram of kale. By comparison, a carrot may only contain 2. Orange juice, honeydew melon, kiwis, red peppers, squash and grapes are also good sources of lutein and zeaxanthin, and you can find a decent amount of lutein and zeaxanthin in durum wheat and corn as well 1 , 37 , In addition, egg yolk may be an important source of lutein and zeaxanthin, as the high fat content of the yolk may improve the absorption of these nutrients Fats improve the absorption of lutein and zeaxanthin, so including them in your diet, such as some olive oil in a green salad or some butter or coconut oil with your cooked greens, is a good idea Having too little omega-3s in your diet can put you at a higher risk for AMD, diabetic retinopathy , and dry eye syndrome , among other conditions.

To increase your GLA intake, we recommend incorporating the following foods into your diet: peanut butter, safflower oil, and walnuts. These antioxidants work together to siphon through and defend your eyes against blue light. They can also decrease your chances of developing AMD and cataracts, and if you already have them, they may make it easier for you to overcome your symptoms.

Cooked kale and spinach are two of the top sources of lutein and zeaxanthin. Vitamin A is also beneficial for keeping your cornea hydrated.

To consume more of this nutrient, we recommend cantaloupes, carrots, and sweet potatoes. If AMD or cataracts run in your family, vitamin C should be one of the first antioxidants you turn to for eye health. When consumed with other eye-healthy antioxidants, it can decelerate your eyesight deterioration due to age-related eye diseases.

It can also benefit your eye blood vessels. You may find vitamin C in freshly squeezed grapefruit or orange juice, as well as in spinach and tomatoes. Like the other antioxidants, vitamin E may put a stop to AMD and cataracts—and how fast they develop.

This antioxidant can also benefit your cells and immune system, according to the AOA. Some of the best foods for vitamin E are almonds, sunflower seeds, and vitamin-enriched cereals. Zinc is fundamental to your eye health in that it helps get vitamin A to your retina, an important step in creating melanin.

Some research has shown that consuming zinc with beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E, can decelerate AMD by up to 25 percent in those with high odds of getting the disease.

Turn to beans, chicken, eggs, and red meat for your daily dose of this antioxidant. When it comes to your eye health, vitamins and minerals should be a top priority.

Professionally Reviewed by Charles Li, MD TL;DR. Antioxidants May Help. Type Matters. Eat your vegetables. Antioxidants: 3 Potential Benefits. Brain Power. Some studies have shown that taking antioxidants over many years can potentially lead to improvements in memory and verbal intelligence.

However, this effect takes many years to manifest. More research is needed before we know for sure. Some studies have shown that giving antioxidants to people who are deficient in certain antioxidant nutrients may help prevent cancer. But, the effect is not large and the research is mixed.

Certain antioxidants, including Vitamin C, Vitamin E, beta-carotene, and lutein, have been shown to potentially protect the eye from age-related vision deterioration macular degeneration.

Study 1. When it comes to eye health and antioxidants, Zinc is a champion. As shown by the data below, much of the benefit from antioxidants comes from zinc, in the context of eye health.

Our Take. Data Source. Study One study suggests that antioxidants from vegetables may be more effective than antioxidants from carrots when it comes to protecting your eyes from age-related disease. Key Facts Examples. How they work Antioxidants prevent cell damage by counteracting free radicals.

Effect on Disease Research on Antioxidants and disease prevention has shown mixed results. Common Sources Chocolate. beta-carotene Your body makes vitamin A with beta-carotene, commonly found in carrots. Vitamin C Found in all sorts of fruits, Vitamin C is a very commonly consumed antioxidant.

Vitamin E Vitamin E can be found in nuts and seeds.

Anc research shows little risk protecrion Cognitive training adaptations from prostate Lean muscle mass. Discrimination at work is Self-acceptance to Antioxidant and vision protection blood pressure. Icy fingers and toes: Poor circulation or Raynaud's phenomenon? You'll want to concentrate on yellow and orange fruits and vegetables, plus egg yolks and fatty, cold-water fish. When it comes to protecting your vision, what you eat may affect what you see.

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