{"id":20661,"date":"2023-07-01T13:40:41","date_gmt":"2023-07-01T18:40:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/?p=20661"},"modified":"2023-09-06T07:10:00","modified_gmt":"2023-09-06T12:10:00","slug":"eye-friendly-nutrition-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/guides\/eye-friendly-nutrition-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Eye-friendly Nutrition Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s no secret that implementing a healthy diet into your daily routine comes with numerous benefits. Improving your immune system, strengthening your bones, and lowering your risk of heart disease are just a few <\/span>outcomes that follow a healthy diet<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another notable benefit is how eating healthy affects your eye health. As <\/span>the most valued of the five senses<\/span><\/a>, your sight is important to consider when thinking about your overall health and wellness.<\/span><\/p>\n

Throughout this guide, you\u2019ll learn more about the connection between nutrition and eye health and what you can do to help protect your vision.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Nutrition Plays a Role In Maintaining Good Eye Health<\/span><\/h2>\n

Understanding how nutrition is relevant to your eye health can help motivate a more healthy lifestyle. What you consume matters to your vision because of the nutritional value of that meal.<\/span><\/p>\n

Foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals (like vitamin A and lutein) are necessary for your eye health. Don\u2019t be afraid to ask a trusted <\/span>eye doctor<\/span><\/a> about the types of foods they recommend for optimal eye health. Doing so can be the next step towards better sight.<\/span><\/p>\n

Diet-related Eye Health Conditions<\/span><\/h2>\n

Before we dive further into which nutrients are best for eye health, you must first understand the eye health conditions that are linked to poor nutrition. Read below to learn about specific diet-related health concerns that can impact your eyesight.<\/span><\/p>\n

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)<\/span><\/p>\n

Johns Hopkins Medicine defines <\/span>age-related macular degeneration (AMD)<\/span><\/a> as \u201ca disease that affects a person\u2019s central vision\u201d and it\u2019s \u201cthe most common cause of severe loss of eyesight among people 50 and older.\u201d To elaborate further, AMD is a medical condition in which the macula (part of the retina) is damaged, affecting central vision.<\/span><\/p>\n

One <\/span>report on diet, age, and macular degeneration<\/span><\/a> by the Brigham and Women\u2019s Hospital states how the connection between vision loss and a poor diet can be a result of not consuming enough antioxidant properties like vitamins C and E.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adding more foods, like fruits and vegetables, to your diet is a great way to combat this concern. Be sure to talk to an eye doctor when able if AMD is a concern for you or a loved one.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cataracts<\/span><\/p>\n

The Mayo Clinic describes cataracts as \u201ca clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye.\u201d Cataracts typically affect both eyes, but can do so at different rates. For instance, one eye may become more clouded at a rapid rate in comparison to the other. Additionally, there are different types of cataracts, adding more nuances to how the symptoms are perceived.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can reduce your cataract symptoms by adding antioxidant-rich foods to your diet. This includes, but certainly isn\u2019t limited to<\/span><\/p>\n