2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44
Eye health depends not only on proper lighting, distance from a book or screen, but also on our nutrition.
An amazing organ …
Thanks to its ultra-fine tuning, the eye is one of the most amazing organs in the body. All eye muscles are in continuous motion to simultaneously carry out three functions necessary for vision:
- Study of the field of view.
- Dilation and contraction of the pupil in accordance with the light conditions (aperture).
- Changing the curvature of the lens of the eye in accordance with the distance to the visible object while maintaining focus.
In addition, the eye constantly sends information to the brain via the optic nerves. It is estimated that in the waking state, about a million nerve cells that form the retina of the eye send information to the brain in a volume equivalent to 100 megabytes per second.
… who needs so little
To perform all these functions, the eye needs only a small amount of oxygen and a few elements found in food:
- Vitamin A. It is necessary for the formation of rhodopsin, a light-sensitive pigment found in the cells of the retina of the eye, as well as for moisturizing the conjunctiva (the mucous membrane of the eye) and keeping it in good condition.
- Carotenoids are natural dyes found in plant products. They act as antioxidants and help prevent macular degeneration.
- Vitamins C and E are antioxidants found exclusively in fruits, vegetables, nuts and grain sprouts. Their deficiency leads to cataracts and loss of vision.
Plant-based foods, especially those described in this article, provide the eyes with essential nutrients.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis can be caused by a variety of causes, such as bacterial infections or smoke damage.
A diet lacking vitamins A and B leads to dryness of the conjunctiva, provokes and aggravates conjunctivitis.
| Increase |
| Apricot |
| Vitamin A |
| B vitamins |
»
Retinal macular degeneration
This is one of the main causes of blindness in people over 65. The macula is only two millimeters wide and is the most sensitive area of the retina of the eye, on which visual acuity is most dependent.
Causes provoking damage to the macula:
- prolonged exposure to intense light;
- free radicals produced by the body, as well as entering the body from tobacco smoke and other harmful substances;
- lack of antioxidants that can neutralize free radicals.
The most effective substances for preventing macular degeneration are carotenoids, in particular zeaxanthin and lutein, found in spinach and kale. The beta-carotene in carrots is not as effective.
| Increase |
| Spinach |
| Cabbage |
| Oranges |
| Zinc |
| Antioxidants |
»
Decreased visual acuity
Reduced visual acuity can have many causes: cataracts, brain damage, or tumors. But the most common cause is retinal dysfunction, which can be caused by diabetes and arteriosclerosis.
Antioxidant deficiency due to a lack of fruits, vegetables, oil-containing nuts and seeds in the diet can damage the retina of the eye and provoke a decrease in visual acuity.
| Increase |
| Carrot |
| Spinach |
| Apricot |
| Pumpkin |
| Blueberries |
| Blackberry |
»
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is caused by increased intraocular pressure. This leads to atrophy of the retina and optic nerve, which is fraught with serious consequences for vision.
Although angle-closure glaucoma, the most common form of this disease, occurs due to anatomical deformity of the eye, the type of diet can also affect intraocular pressure, improving or worsening the course of glaucoma.
| Increase | Reduce or eliminate |
| Vitamin B1 | Trans fatty acids |
| Vitamin A | Protein |
| Oranges | Coffee |
»
Cataract
A cataract is a clouding of the clear lens of the eye. Several years ago it was believed that this is an inevitable consequence of aging of the body and there is no way to prevent cataracts.
There is a strong relationship between diet and cataract formation. Abundant consumption of foods containing provitamin A and antioxidants - vitamins C and E, can prevent the formation of cataracts in adulthood. We are talking about vegetables, fruits, seeds.
Diabetes, certain medications, and exposure to ultraviolet and X-rays, on the other hand, contribute to the formation of cataracts.
| Increase | Reduce or eliminate |
| Pumpkin | Dairy products |
| Antioxidants | Fats |
| Vitamin C | Butter |
| Vitamin E | Salt |
»
Night blindness
Night blindness is a sudden deterioration in vision in low light or a complete inability to see in the dark. It is one of the earliest symptoms of vitamin A deficiency.
| Increase |
| Carrot |
| Apricot |
| Mango |
»
Based on the book "Healthy Food".
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