Nutrition for Your Eyes

They say mothers know best, and when it comes to eating your vegetables, well, she was right!

"Eat your carrots, they're good for your eyes," my mother used to tell me. As a child, I didn't realize how true this statement was.

We all know proper nutrition and diet are key elements in maintaining a healthy body. But did you know that certain nutrients can actually reduce your likelihood of becoming blind through eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration?

Research also indicates that low levels of certain nutrients in your body can affect your everyday visual clarity, especially your night vision.

For example, whether she knew it or not, there was a reason your mother used to pile those carrots on your plate. Carrots contain a carotenoid called beta-carotene. Your body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A, which is an anti-oxidant. Anti-oxidants such as vitamin A are essential to eye health.

*Carotenoids are pigments in plants that provide red and yellow color.
*Beta-carotene is a carotenoid. It is contained in carrots and other food sources. The body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A.
*Vitamin A is an anti-oxidant that is very important to the health of the eyes.
*An antioxidant is any substance that prevents or impedes cell oxidation (destruction) by free radicals.

Vitamin A:

*helps your eyes adjust to light changes
*moistens the eyes, which can enhance visual acuity
*has been shown to prevent the forming of cataracts
*has been shown to help prevent blindness from macular degeneration-the leading cause of blindness in the world