We all know that aging is a natural part of our lives. It proceeds with various changes both outside and inside our body, such as changes in the skin, hair, joints, other organs and tissues, including the visual apparatus.
One vision problem often associated with age is macular degeneration, a disease that affects the central part of the retina, i.e. the macula.
Yes, we already know that aging is a natural process, but it's not easy to come to terms with the fact that one day you may see everything as if through a fog or, even worse, not see at all.
In addition, it is quite unpleasant to hear from a doctor that nothing can be changed, because age takes its toll.
What to do in this case? Sit and wait for things to get worse?
Of course not! Sometimes nature offers better solutions than medicines. You just need to know what they are and how they work.
I'm here to help you with that.
To get started, I suggest you take a simple test to determine whether it is worth worrying about the health of your eyes right now.
This is a test that can be easily done at home. Just with one hand you need to close one eye, then the other and look at straight lines. If the perception of the lines is distorted, this is a sign that action needs to be taken.
How can natural ingredients help improve vision and reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration?
Have you heard of carotenoids?
These are plant substances, pigments of extremely bright colors such as red, yellow, orange, that give color to the fruits and vegetables we eat.
There are over 600 plant pigments, and there are probably over 10 different types circulating in your blood right now.
Carotenoids are substances with strong antioxidant properties that bring many benefits to our body. According to experts, carotenoids are involved in protecting against cardiovascular disease, boosting immune system, as well as reducing the risk of certain types of cancer.
Also known as "eye carotenoids", they play a crucial role in the fight against macular degeneration.
Among them, the two most powerful are lutein and its derivative zeaxanthin. In the human body, they are concentrated in the macular pigment, where they effectively absorb blue spectrum light, thereby preventing oxidative damage to the visual apparatus.
Studies show that eating at least six milligrams of lutein and zeaxanthin a day can reduce your risk of developing macular degeneration by 43%.
Good to know! The foods richest in lutein are spinach and blueberries, but broccoli, Brussels sprouts, blackcurrants, tomatoes, carrots, and zucchini also contain fairly high doses of the pigment. Lutein absorption is enhanced by light cooking, so vegetables can be stewed, steamed, lightly sautéed, or baked.
Zeaxanthin gives fruits and vegetables their yellow color and is found in similarly colored foods such as corn, saffron, paprika, peas, pumpkins, melons, peaches, and mangoes. All of these foods can be eaten either raw or cooked: cooking does not significantly affect the quality of zeaxanthin.
Another powerful antioxidant from the carotenoid family is astaxanthin.
Besides the fact that this substance slows down the degradation processes in the eyes associated with aging, it also increases the focus of vision, the ability to concentrate on one point, reduces eye fatigue and protects the retina from direct sunlight. With constant intake into the body, it reduces the risk of developing cataracts and glaucoma, and slows down the development of diseases.
Good to know! Astaxanthin is found both in plants, mainly algae, and in animals, such as shrimp, lobsters, and fish from the salmon family. This antioxidant is well absorbed when consumed with fatty foods.
Alpha-carotene, like beta-carotene, are provitamins; they can be converted by the human body into vitamin A. They are responsible for moisturizing the cornea and are an integral part of the retinal pigment.
Good to know! Alpha-carotene and beta-carotene are found in orange and yellow fruits and vegetables such as pumpkin, carrots, melons, and sweet potatoes. Also, these provitamins can be found in green plants: sorrel, spinach, cabbage, broccoli, peas, green onions, romaine lettuce, parsley and cilantro.
The aging process cannot be stopped, it is a fact, but it can certainly be slowed down with the help of natural ingredients such as carotenoids. So, when shopping, look for bright colors in the products section. Try to add these carotenoid-rich foods to your diet every day to support eye health and overall well-being.
Take care of your eyes!