There are many things we need to pay attention to as we age and our diet is one of them. Especially if we want to keep our eyes healthy as we get older and stop eyesight loss before it starts. Furthermore, scientists think there might be a tie between healthy dietary changes and reduced risk of glaucoma. So, what dietary habits should you have to keep your eyesight healthy?
Healthy Eyesight and Diet
According to a 2019 study, approximately 250 million people suffer from varying degrees of vision loss. Some of the leading causes include cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. These conditions affect seniors disproportionately. Hence, the recent interest in conducting research on the topic, and scientists are finding that a healthy diet might be the best defense in protecting your eyes as you age.
Antioxidants and Eyesight
Oxidative stress is implicated in causing ocular degeneration. Consequently, there has been significant research conducted to determine the role of antioxidants and eyesight in the diet.
Cataracts are an age-related macular degenerative condition. One which diet can heavily influence. Research shows that this condition occurs significantly less in people who eat diets rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, and lutein.
A healthy diet requires ample amounts of fresh fruits and veggies. Consequently, to ensure you get the proper nutrients to make sure you are eating green or bright fruits and veggies to ingest ample antioxidants that protect your eyes against damage related to free radicals that cause age-related diseases.
Healthy Eyesight and Low-Carb Diets
One of the most common issues with eyesight as we age is glaucoma and new research suggests that a low-carbohydrate diet could help protect you against the degenerative aspects of the condition. According to this article:
Maintaining a long-term diet low in carbohydrates and high in fat and protein from vegetables is associated with a 20% lower risk of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) with early paracentral visual loss, according to the study published online recently in the journal Eye.
Taking into consideration that glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness, maintaining a healthy diet might be the key to battling sight loss due to glaucoma. Additionally, scientists found a connection between diets low in carbs and high in protein resulted in generating metabolites favorable to optic nerves. This leads to better long-term optical health.
Other Tips to Stop Eyesight Loss
Use these quick tips to stop eyesight loss before it starts.
- Learn your family health history.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Wear protective eyewear (like sunglasses or safety goggles).
- Quit smoking.
- Look away from screens (TV, computer, or phone).
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