Where do you find nutritious recipes for the eyes? A significant body of research has shown that certain nutrients are very important to healthy vision. This makes sense, because your eyes are the most nutrient-hungry organ in the body for their size. Cooking at home is less expensive and generally more nutritious than eating restaurant foods. Therefore, having an arsenal of healthy recipes could help prevent and support glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and other age-related eye diseases. Continue reading “Eye-Healthy Recipes: Where to Find Nutritious Recipes”
Category: Diet
Save Your Vision at All Stages in Life
How can you save your vision regardless of your age? Eye disease is prevalent in seniors; however, people of all ages can take steps to protect their eyes. Here is Natural Eye Care’s guide to preserving the precious gift of sight.
At All Ages
Wear Sunglasses: The earth’s atmosphere has thinned, exposing our eyes to more ultraviolet light whenever we are outdoors. Wear 100% UVA/UVB protecting sunglasses when you are outside in the Continue reading “Save Your Vision at All Stages in Life”
Artificial Sweeteners Ironically Linked to Weight Gain
Artificial sweeteners are marketed to dieters and diabetics as a low-calorie alternative to sugar. However, a meta-study found that these sweeteners have negative impacts on gut bacteria, appetite, and metabolism.[1. CMAJ July 17, 2017 vol. 189 no. 28 doi: 10.1503/cmaj.161390. “Non-nutritive sweeteners and cardiometabolic health: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies” by Meghan B. Azad et.al] Ironically, long-term users of artificial sweeteners were more likely to experience weight gain and obesity than non-users. They also had a higher incidence of weight-related diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart Continue reading “Artificial Sweeteners Ironically Linked to Weight Gain”
Mediterranean Diet Associated with Better Memory and Attention
A study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that seniors had better memory and attention if they followed the Mediterranean Diet. Many seniors struggle with memory and attention impairment. Research is finding that what you put in your mouth strongly impacts brain functioning. A large body of research shows that certain types of diets have better cognitive outcomes than others.
At Natural Eye Care, we recommend the Mediterranean Diet. Saying the word “diet” does not necessarily imply losing weight. Rather, this style of eating Continue reading “Mediterranean Diet Associated with Better Memory and Attention”
Superfoods for the Eye
From Farm to Table: Eye Care Veggies – Part I
What you eat directly affects your health and even your vision health. Whether you get your food from your local grocer, your community’s farmer’s market, your local CSA, or your own garden, you can eat the foods that will best support healthy vision.
Fresh versus Store-Bought
The biggest issue between store-bought and fresh produce from your own garden or your local farmer’s market is that fresh Continue reading “From Farm to Table: Eye Care Veggies – Part I”
From Farm to Table: Vegetable Heros – Part II
Now, let’s learn about the foods that you can readily find not only at your grocery store, but in your farmer’s market or CSA and which you could also easily grow on your own. These provide great support for your vision health.
Preparing your produce
You probably know already that when you boil Continue reading “From Farm to Table: Vegetable Heros – Part II”
Antioxidants, Eye Disease and Oxidative Stress
The links between antioxidants and vision health are strong. Antioxidants are the antidote to oxidization. Normal metabolism creates free radicals. These are atoms that lack an electron. Free radicals roam about the body, scavenging electrons and stealing electrons from healthy cells. This results in permanent damage to these afflicted cells which ultimately can result in disease. Significant research has shown that antioxidants protect against this cellular damage and are essential for maintaining health. The eye is especially vulnerable to free radical damage. Therefore, providing the body with sufficient antioxidants Continue reading “Antioxidants, Eye Disease and Oxidative Stress”
Macular Edema: A Complete Overview by Natural Eye Care
Macular edema is a swelling of the macula, the part of the eye responsible for central vision. When fluid builds up in the macula, it becomes swollen and thicker. This distorts vision. There are several causes, including diabetic retinopathy, post-eye surgery complications, macular degeneration, injury, systemic inflammatory diseases that can affect the eye, and/or vein blockages. If an eye disease causes damage to blood vessels in the retina, it can cause macular edema. Left untreated, this problem can cause serious vision loss and even blindness.
An eye doctor will direct your care should macular Continue reading “Macular Edema: A Complete Overview by Natural Eye Care”
AMD Research – Part 2
Scientists are putting significant focus on Age-Related Macular Degeneration in their research. This eye disease strikes mostly older adults, over aged 50. The “Baby Boomer” generation is well above age 50, as are their living parents. Understanding the causes and potential treatments for Macular Denegation (ARMD) are important, because vision-impaired elderly people need extra help with their daily activities. Also, quality of life is lowered when vision is poor.
The macula is a tiny yellowish spot in the back of the eye, on the retina. It allows for central vision. Central vision is possible because of the macula. If it breaks down, reading, writing, watching TV, cooking, driving and even facial recognition are impaired. Macular Degeneration is degenerative, meaning that it gets worse over time.
ARMD comes in two forms. The more common Continue reading “AMD Research – Part 2”