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| home : how we can help : prevention, screening, & diagnostics : answers to cancer : diet & nutrition
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Antioxidants in foods are more commonly associated with decreasing one's risk of cancer and heart disease, but they are also important for eye health. Because September is National Eye Health Month, let's look at some nutrients and foods that help eyes stay healthy and young longer.
Just as antioxidants help mop up free radicals before they can do potential damage to cells in many parts of the body, they also reduce free radicals that can be harmful to the eye.
There are several eye conditions that commonly increase with age. One is macular degeneration which is characterized by narrowed and hardened blood vessels in the back of the eye, known as the macula. A loss of central vision occurs when the macula degenerates. The other common condition is cataracts. A cataract is a cloudy or opaque area that occurs in the normally clear lens of the eye.
Studies have revealed that the antioxidants in fruits and vegetables can help protect against some of the oxidative damage that occurs in the eye during the aging process. Carotenoids in particular have demonstrated their ability as effective anti-oxidants, reducing the damaging oxidative processes that can potentially lead to macular degeneration and cataracts.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are two carotenoids that appear to be particularly important to eye health. Vitamin E is another antioxidant that may be protective against cataracts.
| ANTIOXIDANTS |
GOOD FOOD SOURCES |
| Carotenoids |
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| Lutein |
broccoli, carrots, corn, tomatoes, banana, egg yolk, green vegetables |
| Zeaxanthin |
spinach, kale, dark leafy green vegetables, corn, paprika |
| Vitamin E |
wheat germ, nuts, seeds, oil, margarine, salad dressing |
The moral of this story, which is a familiar one to many of our stories, is eat your fruits and vegetables for optimal health.
5 A DAY AND MORE!!!!!!
Click here for a great Spinach Salad recipe!
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