Keeping your eyes healthy with Nutreat

by Nutreat Australia

Diet and nutrition play a crucial role in your eye health. Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet  has been associated with a number of health benefits such as preventing obesity, diabetes, and cancer but also helping us to maintain good vision.

Adding certain nutrients to your daily diet, either through foods or supplements, can help to preserve your vision. Scientists have found evidence linking eye-friendly nutrients (antioxidants and anti-inflammatories), such as lutein and zeaxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin E, β-carotene, zinc and the omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) and a reduction in the risk of certain eye diseases.

The rate of age-related eye disease is expected to rise with the aging of the population. The most common eye diseases include:

Cataracts – A condition where eyes become clouded. Age-related cataracts are a leading cause of vision impairment and blindness around the world.
Diabetic retinopathy – A complication associated with diabetes. Retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in your retina. Can lead to visual impairment and blindness.
Dry eyes – A condition caused by insufficient tear fluid, drying of the eyes, causing discomfort and possible visual problems.
Glaucoma – A group of eye conditions characterised by progressive degeneration of the optic nerve, which is responsible for transferring visual information from the eyes to the brain. Glaucoma may cause poor eyesight or blindness.
Macular degeneration – A condition that causes loss in the centre of the field of vision. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of blindness in developed countries.

While the risk of developing these conditions has a genetic component, your diet may also play a key role.

The following food and nutrients should be included in your daily diet to improve your eye health:

Lutein and zeaxanthin

are vital nutrients found in high concentrations in egg yolks and green leafy vegetables. Studies show that lutein and zeaxanthin reduce the risk of chronic eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.

Vitamin A

includes beta-carotene which helps the retina, cornea and other eye tissues function properly and is known to help with night vision. Vitamin A is found in fish, eggs, milk, sweet potatoes, pumpkin and spinach.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

is an antioxidant found in fruits and vegetables such as oranges, berries, papaya, capsicum and brussels sprouts. Evidence suggests vitamin C can lower the risk of developing cataracts and can slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration and visual loss when combined with other essential nutrients.

Vitamin E

is a potent antioxidant found in nuts, fortified cereals and sweet potatoes. Research suggests it protects cells in the eyes from free radical damage which can break down healthy tissue.

Essential Fatty Acids

are a necessary part of the human diet and play an important role in visual development and retinal function. There are two types of omega-3 fatty acids: Plant based omega-3 is called ALA and animal-based Omega-3 (EPA and DHA) are found mainly in oily fish. Eat salmon, tuna, trout, mackerel, green vegetables, and walnuts.

Zinc

is an essential trace mineral highly concentrated in the eye; mainly in the retina and choroid. It plays a vital role in transferring vitamin A from the liver to the retina to produce a protective pigment in the eyes called melanin. Try including foods such as oysters, red meat, eggs, baked beans and whole–grains.

One serve of Nutreat Pro40 is high in protein and provides a rich source of 20 essential vitamins and minerals including Zinc, Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamins C,E,A,D & the B group.