Why You Should Add Ocular Vitamins To Your Regimen

Popeye relied on spinach for strength and energy. Rabbit in “Winnie the Pooh” was a renowned carrot farmer in the Hundred Acre Wood. Sunny D is known for witty commercials and brags about having a high concentration of vitamin C. Chef Gordon Ramsay has been known to give up his secrets on the tastiest pan-fried salmon while noting its health benefits and high concentration of Omega-3s!

But did you know that each of these popularized foods contains key ingredients to eye health?

Colorful veggies such as spinach, kale, bell peppers, tomatoes and carrots all boast a high number of carotenoids, naturally occurring pigments found in many fruits and veggies. These carotenoids act as an antioxidant and fight against harmful free radicals, protecting the body against multiple illnesses. Of these carotenoids is lutein and zeaxanthin, which help neutralize oxidative damage to the eye and protect the eye from harmful unseen light. Both lutein and zeaxanthin have been found to be more effective in the AREDS2 study, a popularized trial that set out to research and reduce age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). Not only will patients with ARMD and cataracts benefit from these carotenoids, but so will patients of all ages as lutein is a powerful defense against blue light emitted from computers, phones and tablets.

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, found mostly in oranges, promotes healthy blood vessels while neutralizing damage that can also lead to cataracts and ARMD. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), vitamin C “acts as a physiological ‘sunscreen’ to protect the lens from UV (ultraviolet) light induced oxidative damage, and to regenerate vitamin E,” in effect giving the eye an extra layer of protection! Vitamin C has also been proven to reduce the signs of aging, softening the skin’s texture and tone.

So, what about salmon? How does that support ocular health? Foods like salmon, tuna, eggs, oysters, nuts and seeds contain essential Omega-3 fatty acids, called EPA and DHA, and these acids promote positive visual development, retinal function, and dry eye support. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) maintains the structural and functional properties of the retina, which translates light into the images our brain perceives. A strong retina lessens the chances of retinal detachment, ARMD, and diabetic retinopathy.

Omega-3 also plays a key role in treating dry eye, an inflammatory disease that nearly 30 million Americans suffer from. As the NIH reported, “The current management of (dry eye disease) emphasizes improving tear quality, addressing inflammation, and instituting dietary and lifestyle changes,” and with the help of fish oils like Omega-3, the ocular surface is able to heal and the tears will flow more freely.

It’s important to note that even though these vitamins and fatty acids are naturally occurring, our bodies do not make enough to sustain healthy levels, and it would be difficult to eat as much spinach as Popeye!

MacuHealth offers a wide variety of ocular support supplements sold at Woolf Eye Lab. For more information, contact 410-255-8056 or hello@woolfeyelab.com, or visit www.woolfeyelab.com.