Vitamins to protect the eyes

There are many pathologies that can affect the eyes, and their incidence increases with age. However, specific dietary habits could protect the eyes and reduce the risk of developing these pathologies.

𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬 affect 60% of people over 85. The risk of developing 𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐚 increases with age, affecting around 10% of people over 70. Age-related macular degeneration (𝐀𝐌𝐃) is the leading cause of 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 after the age of 50, affecting around 30% of people over 75. What if eye protection was possible simply by adapting a 𝐬𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐭? The American Academy of Ophthalmology has provided a list of these protective 𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬.

Firstly, 𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐳𝐞𝐚𝐱𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧, belonging to the carotenoid family, are thought to reduce the 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬. They are found in dark-green leafy vegetables and colorful fruits, such as broccoli, corn, peas, persimmons, and mandarins. 𝐕𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐂 reduces the risk of cataracts and helps slow the 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐌𝐃. It is found in oranges, grapefruit, strawberries, papaya, green peppers, and tomatoes.

𝐕𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐄, found in vegetable oils, nuts and sweet potatoes, protects the eyes from free radicals. 𝐎𝐦𝐞𝐠𝐚 𝟑, found in oily fish such as salmon and tuna, promotes optimal visual development. Finally, 𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐜 also helps protect the eyes and is found in red meat, oysters, nuts, and seeds.