5 Top Foods for


Eye Health


so small? Are you interested in keeping your vision sharp no matter what your age? If so, these five best foods for eye health are a natural way to give your vision a boost from the inside out! Maintaining eye health becomes in- creasingly important as you age. Followers of natural health know that nutrition is your best defense against degeneration associ- ated with aging and eye health is no excep- tion.


D We have compiled five of the best


foods for eye health so that you can include these power-packed nutrients in your diet. Eating these vital foods and maintaining good overall health practices can help your eyes stay strong and your vision remain clear well into your golden years.


1. Ginkgo Biloba Extracted from one of the oldest spe- cies of tree in the world, ginkgo is a nutri- tional supplement that has been used as traditional herbal medicine in China for hundreds of years. Derived from the leaves of the Ginkgo biloba tree, some of which are believed to be more than 2,500 years old, ginkgo is available as a tea, capsule, tablet or tincture and has gained acclaim for a wide array of health benefits. Ginkgo leaves contain natural flavo- noids imbued with antioxidants that are believed to improve eye health by boosting circulation and protecting against damag- ing free radicals. Studies have shown


o you find yourself squinting and straining to read the daily news and wondering why the writing on menus has become


ginkgo may help reduce age-related macular degeneration and may be useful in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease.


Ginkgo has been shown to increase ocular blood, making it potentially effec- tive in treating glaucoma and other eye diseases. Adding this potent supplement to your regimen may provide an added layer of protection against age-related memory loss and heart disease. Ginkgo is generally well-tolerated but


does have some contraindications and should not be combined with other drugs. The maximum recommended dose for ginkgo extract is 240 milligrams (mg) a day.


2. Goji Berry Another traditional Chinese medicine


that has relevance to modern lifestyles is goji berries. This nutrient-dense superfood contains all eight essential amino acids and a healthy dose of protein, which is un- usual for a fruit. Goji berries are also unusu-


ally good for eye health. A study from 2017 found that a low


dose of goji berry extract (between 250 and 350 mg per kilogram (kg) of body weight) helped ameliorate the symptoms of dry eye disease. Researchers attributed these ac- tions to increased antioxidant and plasma zeaxanthin levels, a common carotenoid that has been associated with a signifi- cantly reduced risk of age-related macu- lopathy and cataract. Maculopathy is any disease of


the


macula, the part of the eye associated with accurate vision. Cataract is the clouding of the eye associated with aging that blurs vision and affects sensitivity to light, which may be positively impacted by proper nutrition.


Zeaxanthin is one of 600 carotenoids found in nature, but one of only two that are deposited in high quantities in the retina (macula) of the eye. Antioxidant nutrients like zeaxanthin neutralize un- stable free radical molecules that are as-


SEPTEMBER 2020


27


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32