While I sometimes wish my eyes were so powerful, that I could see through walls, as I get older, and my vision gets blurrier, sometimes, even just being able to read road signs from a distance feels like a super power.
It’s no secret that in the computer age our eyes are suffering. For many of us, our job means staring at a screen for most of the day. And when we get home, there are mobile phones and TVs to look at. For all these reasons, it’s no surprise that blue blocking glasses and contacts have become so popular.
But, what else can you do to protect your vision? We wrote one article on eye nutrition and we also love this article on eye stretches (simple eye exercises you can and should complete throughout the day). In this article, well reveal another secret to keeping your eyes happy and healthy in a screen-heavy world.
Read below to learn about the 5 vitamins critical for eye health, as well as three ways you can get all your necessary eye vitamins on a daily basis:
- Vitamin A
We all know that carrots are good for your eyes. But why? Carrots are rich in Vitamin A, which not only give carrots their orange color, but also are known for reducing cataracts and macular degeneration. To learn about other foods high in Vitamin A (from fish to cheese) go here.
Antioxidants (including vitamins E and C)
Antioxidants are seen as an important protector against free radicals (particles created when oxygen in the body splits) which steal electrons from healthy cells in your body. Antioxidants help protect against degenerative eye disease (among many other things) and Vitamin E and C are critical providers of antioxidants.
Read on to learn more about Vitamin E and Vitamin C.
The B-vitamins (including B6, B12 and Riboflavin)
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the biggest causes of declining eye sight as people age. Studies have found that the B-vitamins and their ability to reduce inflammation can have a measurable impact on reducing AMD.
To learn more about the power of B12 go here.
Luetin and Zeaxanthin
Luetin and Zeaxanthin are Carotenoids synthetically produced by plants. These Caretenoids exist in your eye and are known for filtering blue light, making them particularly helpful in protecting your eyes from screen usage. They are also believed to be useful in preventing cataracts. Kale and spinach, as well as carrots, are all sources of these helpful Carotenoids.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids:
Omega-3 Fatty Acids—is there anything you can’t do? Omega-3s help protect your eyes in a variety of ways; they are anti-inflamatory, they help your body produce tears, which are critical for eye health and to prevent eyedryness, and lastly, they have a positive impact on your eye membrane.
How do I supplement my diet with all the above vitamins?
So, now that you know what vitmains you need to keep your eyes in healthy order—what’s the easiest way to get these vitamins in your diet?
There are a couple approaches we recommend:
- Try Ritual! Ritual (which we reviewed here) along with Persona (we compared Ritual to Persona here) is one of a new breed of personalized vitamin companies that allow you to complete a simple quick with your health goals and get a vitamin sent to you on a regular basis.
Eat a vegetable rich diet. What do all of the above vitamins have in common? Well aside from the omega 3s—they are found readily in vegetables (including carrots, spinach and kale). If you are noticing your eye sight decline it might be a sign that you need more veggies in your life.
Onwards to greater eye health!