Looking to take better care of your eye health? Your eyes need vital nutrients to stay healthy and avoid the potential risk of eye disease.
Eye health conditions such as Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD), cataracts, glaucoma and retinitis pigmentosa, for example, can all develop quickly – often without any signs or symptoms in the beginning stages.
Globally, it’s estimated that at least 1 billion people have a near or distance vision impairment that could have been prevented or yet to be addressed, according to The World Health Organisation.
Thankfully, there are natural solutions you can follow to keep your eyes healthy. Here are some of our best recommendations…
1. Eat Healthy Foods
Eating a wide variety of dark leafy green vegetables is recommended. Dark leafy greens can reduce early ARMD risk by 35 percent when eating 100 to 142mg of vegetable nitrates daily, according to studies.
Dark berries are a good choice as they contain antioxidants, anthocyanins and resveratrol – plant compounds that may reduce your disease risk. [1] Fruits high in beta-carotene and Vitamin C include yellow, orange, and green fruits and vegetables such as carrots, spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, broccoli, and sweet potatoes, which are all good choices.
2. Take Lutein and Zeaxanthin
Eye doctors often recommend that people take nutrients from the AREDS formulation, such as Lutein and Zeaxanthin.
As powerful carotenoids, Lutein and Zeaxanthin act as important antioxidants to protect your eyes from harmful free radicals. It’s thought that not consuming enough of these antioxidants can, over time, impair eye health. Lutein and Zeaxanthin also act as a natural sunblock by absorbing excess light energy. [2]
Taking Vitamins C, E and Zinc can also help to protect the integrity and function of blood vessels in the eyes as these are essential antioxidants, particularly beneficial for sufferers of wet AMD. [3] These vitamins can be found in foods such as oranges, kiwis, strawberries, avocados, cauliflower, celery and bell peppers.
3. Limit Exposure to Blue Light
Being exposed to the effects of blue light can be damaging for the eyes, triggering eyestrain and leading to a range of health issues. This may include cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, poor sleep and mood disorders.
Blue light suppresses the body’s release of melatonin, a hormone that can make you feel drowsy. While both natural and artificial blue light can boost your alertness and mental sharpness, too much of it may keep you awake when your body needs to sleep.
For best eye health, it’s recommended to limit your blue light exposure, especially at night. Taking regular breaks from computer or TV screens can help too. Every 20 minutes or so, look away from your computer screen and focus on an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
4. Drink More Water
Remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day, as this can prevent your eyes and body from becoming dehydrated. Dehydration is very harmful to the eyes. Your eyes rely on water to keep them lubricated and moist and to remove bacteria, dust particles and more that may get in the eyes.
Without enough hydration, your eyes may dry out and become itchy and scratchy. This can result in other related eye symptoms such as red eyes, blurred vision, problems focusing, burning sensations in the eyes and headaches.
5. Take a Daily Multivitamin
For good general health – including the health of your eyes, it’s also essential to take a daily multivitamin to ensure you’re not deficient in any important nutrients. The reason is that many people can’t get enough nutrients from the food they are eating alone.
Research also shows that taking Vitamin C and Zinc can promote eye health and reduce any symptoms of redness, dryness or inflammation. Observational studies suggest that Vitamin C may help to protect against cataracts and to slow and even prevent the progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). [4]
Zinc is an essential mineral that can help to maintain the health of your retina, cell membranes and the structure of your eyes. It also works with Vitamin A to help bring melanin from the liver to the eye. Research even suggests that taking a Zinc supplement may help to slow or possibly prevent cellular damage in the retina that often comes with age, i.e. Age-Related Macular Degeneration. [5]
6. Wear Sunglasses When Out In The Sun
It’s important to protect your eyes from the sun as it can transmit damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays that may have harmful effects on the eyelid, cornea, lens and retina. It’s recommended to choose a pair of sunglasses that offer 100 percent UV protection, meaning it can filter out all harmful UV rays that can damage the eyes.
Studies suggest that people who tend to stay in the sun for longer get cataracts at least 8 to 10 years before those in a selected group who chose to stay indoors. [6]
7. Try Acupressure
By applying pressure around the eye’s acupressure points, it’s possible to relieve pain and eye ailments by relaxing the eye muscles and increasing blood flow to the eye area.
Acupressure, especially in the form of using an electro-acupressure device, can help to stimulate blood flow and encourage healing.
We recommend microcurrent stimulation with the HealthPoint™ device available from Good Health Naturally, as this uses a gentle cotton bud probe to safely apply a tiny electrical impulse to the acupressure points around the eyes. This can stimulate ATP and cellular regeneration in the macula.
8. Take Omega-3’s
It’s recommended to take Omega-3 Fatty acids as these may help to reduce the risk of high blood pressure, which can lead to glaucoma. Omega-3 fatty acids also help with preventing and treating dry eye syndrome. It may also help to protect adult eyes from macular degeneration (AMD).
Studies show that taking Omega-3 fatty acid supplements may help to improve the symptoms of AMD and dry eye syndrome for these reasons, it is highly recommended. In one large European study, participants who ate oily fish (rich in DHA and EPA omega-3 fatty acids) at least once per week had half the risk of developing neovascular “wet” macular degeneration compared with those eating fish less than once per week. [7]
9. Try Astaxanthin
As a powerful antioxidant, Astaxanthin offers unique protection for eye health. It’s a powerful anti-inflammatory agent and may provide relief for many eye health conditions where inflammation is the main cause.
Researchers have found that taking 6mg of Astaxanthin daily for four weeks may help to relieve symptoms of eye strain in middle-aged and older people with presbyopia (the gradual loss of your eye’s ability to focus on nearby objects). [8]
10. Taurine is important
Studies show that Taurine can reduce oxidative damage caused by sunlight to the eyes. It can also support the delivery of nutrients into the retinal cells and reduce oxidative damage to the eyes. Taurine may also prevent the development of cataracts and dry eyes, so it’s, therefore, worth ensuring you supplement with this regularly. [9]
If you want to take good care of your eye health, following the above natural solutions as part of a healthy lifestyle is highly recommended. You may also want to read the ‘Helping Eye Disease, By The Book’ below, along with taking the suggested nutrients for best results.
References:
[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22111516/
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4698938/
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6523787/#
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1462955/
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7404247/#
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8321156/
[7] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18689376/
[8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4997915/
[9] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780124017177000514#
Recommended Reading
Helping Eye Disease, By The Book – Discover how to naturally improve your eye disease and overall eye health. Follow Robert’s recommended health and lifestyle plan to achieve optimal eye health and to avoid, manage or prevent future eye problems. Available in print from Good Health Naturally and as a free ebook download from Naturally Healthy News.
Recommended Examples
MaxiFocus™ Sublingual Drops
MaxiFocus™ Sublingual Drops – Contains 26 super nutrients and antioxidants. Delivers Lutein, along with Vitamins A, C, E, Zinc and Copper as recommended in the AREDS formulation. Delivers a complete spectrum of eye nutrients that absorb better in a sublingual formula than the tablet equivalents. In most cases, the nutrients are in the eye within 2 minutes. Suitable for vegans. Available from Good Health Naturally.
The Krill Miracle™
The Krill Miracle™ – Ultra-pure omega fatty acids to promote wellness and longevity. Contains high-strength DHA/EPA that supports anti-inflammatory processes while maintaining normal cholesterol lipids. It may aid cardiovascular health, joint mobility, brain function and skin health. Available from Good Health Naturally.
Astaxanthin with DHA™
Astaxanthin with DHA™ – AstaReal® Astaxanthin™ is a CO2 extract (solvent free) of the single cell microalgae, Haematococcuspluvialis, which is the richest natural source of Astaxanthin. It’s known to be one of the most powerful antioxidants and free-radical scavengers found anywhere in nature. This formula is a powerful combination of pure DHA and AstaREAL® Astaxanthin. Provides a perfect balance resulting in efficient and effective absorption by the entire body as well as the brain and eyes, where all three play such a protective role. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Available from Good Health Naturally.
Taurine™ Spray
Taurine™ Spray – Delivers 50mg of sublingual L-Taurine under the tongue for maximum absorption into the bloodstream. Can reduce oxidative damage to the eyes, deliver nutrients to the retinal cells, and remove waste products from the eyes. Can also provide protection against diabetes-related damage. Available from Good Health Naturally.
PureC™ Liposomal Vitamin C
PureC™ Liposomal Vitamin C – Contains 1000mg of high-quality Liposomal Vitamin C, plus 400mg PC per serving. With the liposomal delivery system, all of the vitamin C can reach the bloodstream, without any side effects. Provides optimal health benefits and immune health support. Available from Good Health Naturally.
