Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Avoid Eye Virus, Nutrition Do Not Ignore It

Vision often decline with age. But some of the nutrients shown to prevent a person from the threat of eye diseases. What are the list of nutrients from the food?

Research on nutrition that can help prevent eye disease continues to be done. Scientists are studying the foods that can help prevent macular degeneration and cataracts.

Eye disease is one of the most common cause of permanent disability in the United States. More than 20 million Americans aged 40 years or older suffer from cataracts, and 10 million Americans age 60 and over suffer from age related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD can occur with age.

Proper nutrition have benefits for preventing the occurrence of AMD. Cataracts develop in the lens of the eye when proteins in the lens is damaged. Proteins are responsible for maintaining the lens of the eye. When the lens is damaged, the lens becomes cloudy or opaque, and vision will be blurred.

Someone may have a reduced vision or double vision when the night with cataracts. Surgery is often necessary to remove cataracts and replace the damaged lens with an artificial lens.

AMD occurs when cells in the macula dead eyes. The macula is located in the center of the retina at the back of the eye, and is responsible for sharpness of vision.

Nutrition related to eye health are vitamins C and E, carotenoids, beta carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, vitamin B6, B9 (folic acid or folic acid), and B12.

Antioxidants, especially lutein, may help prevent the formation of waste products in the retina, which in turn helps reduce the risk of AMD. Folate and vitamin B6 may reduce the presence of blood chemical homocysteine, which lowers the risk of AMD. Antioxidants also help prevent proteins in the lens that can cause cataracts .

Here's a list of foods that contain nutrients that can nourish the eye:

1. Fruits and vegetables are good sources of vitamin C and E.
2. Dark green vegetables like kale and spinach is a source of lutein and vitamin E.
3. Fruits and vegetables that dang yellow orange contains beta-carotene and zeaxanthin.
4. Anchovies, herring, mackerel, salmon, sardines, trout, tuna and white fish is a source of omega-3 fatty acids.
5. Beef, eggs, goat, milk, peanuts, pork, and whole grains contain zinc.
6. Bananas, chicken, dried beans, fish, liver, pork, and potatoes are a source of vitamin B6.
7. Oranges, cereal, dried beans, leafy green vegetables, liver, mushrooms, nuts, and legumes are a source of folic acid.
8. Dairy products, eggs, meat, poultry, and shellfish contain vitamin B12.

Diets high in refined carbohydrates, like white rice, white bread, and pasta, may actually increase the risk of AMD.

These foods have a high glycemic index, which means it will be broken down into blood glucose quickly. Pililah bread and pasta made from whole grains and brown rice for complex carbohydrates.

National Eye Institute's Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) found that, given high-dose supplements of vitamin E, beta carotene, zinc, and copper can prevent progression to advanced AMD.

AREDS found no evidence that supplements are beneficial for those who do not show signs of AMD or for those with early stage AMD. For those with intermediate AMD who want to try supplements, should discuss with your doctor.

We also need to look at long-term effects from supplements tersebu. For example, the AREDS formula has very high levels of beta carotene, which can increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers. Diet lot of green leafy vegetables, fish and fortified cereals can be a safer alternative than taking supplements.

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