Vitamins and Minerals to Keep Your Eyes Healthy

An important component of keeping your eyes healthy is ensuring that you are getting enough of the right vitamins and minerals that support eye health. There are a wide range of eye conditions and disorders affecting many people, and getting the right nutrients, in sufficient amounts, can help reduce your risk of these diseases.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a strong antioxidant generally found in foods that come from animals including liver and eggs, and in fruits and vegetables, such as carrots and spinach. Milk is also usually fortified with vitamin A. Vitamin A is vital for correct functioning of the retina. It also aids in preventing night blindness by aiding in adaptation between light and dark. It is also linked to a lowered risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and the formation of cataracts. As AMD and cataracts are two of the primary causes of visual impairment and with their prevalence steadily increasing, getting sufficient quantities of vitamin A is crucial to maintaining the health of your eyes.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C performs a number of necessary functions in our bodies. It helps to strengthen bones and muscles, it bolsters the immune system, it helps in maintaining healthy teeth and gums, and it lowers the risk of a myriad of diseases and conditions. It is not surprising that it is also vital for maintaining healthy eyes. Vitamin C is another powerful antioxidant that can lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) as well as the formation of cataracts. Vitamin C is not only found in citrus fruits, but can also be found strawberries, green peppers, and broccoli.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is also a powerful antioxidant vitamin that performs many functions. Eating a diet rich in vitamin E is linked to a lowerded risk of Alzheimer's Disease, heart disease, and it is also though to guard against various types of cancers. In relation to eye health, vitamin E has been linked with a lowered incidence of cataracts and slowed growth of cataracts. Good dietary sources of vitamin E include nuts, green leafy vegetables, and fortified foods like cereal.

Selenium and Zinc

Selenium and Zinc are the two primary minerals that act on the oxidation process. They aid the body in the absorption of antioxidants and making sure you get the daily recommended values of these minerals can ensure that you are getting the antioxidants you need to prevent eye diseases. Just like with antioxidants, absorbing too large of amounts of these minerals could lead to problems.