Taking good care of your body offers many major benefits for your physical and mental health. But did you know that maintaining a healthy diet and consistent exercise routine can also improve your vision and eye health? Here, we’ll take a look at how establishing a healthy lifestyle can be beneficial for your eyes.
Nutrition and Eye Health
Many people don’t realize it, but the food we eat can have a direct impact on the health of our eyes. Specifically, there are several nutrients that can help prevent certain eye conditions and benefit our vision.
- Essential Fatty Acids: Certain types of fat can help fuel our cells and improve the function of the central nervous system. Omega-3 fatty acids can assist with vision development and maintaining proper eye function.
- Vitamin C: In addition to the many other health benefits provided by vitamin C, this antioxidant can lower the risk of developing cataracts and slow down age-related loss of vision.
- Lutein and Zeaxanthin: Lutein and zeaxanthin can reduce the risk of cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and other chronic eye conditions.
- Zinc: Our eyes contain a heavy concentration of zinc, which plays an important role in transporting vitamin A from the liver to the retinas. When vitamin A arrives in the retinas, it produces melanin, which helps keep the eyes healthy.
- Vitamin E: Vitamin E is another antioxidant that can help maintain eye health. Vitamin E protects the eyes from harmful free radicals, which can damage the healthy tissue in your eyes.
So, now that you know the main nutrients that can benefit your eyes, you’re probably wondering which foods you should include in your diet. Listed below are some of the most common foods containing the nutrients that promote eye health.
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Fish
- Nuts, legumes, and seeds
- Citrus fruits
- Eggs
- Beef
- Leafy green vegetables
- Red bell peppers
- Shellfish
Exercise and Eye Health
Although studies are still being conducted on the subject, there is growing evidence that exercising regularly can also improve your eye health. For example, research has shown that low-impact exercise leads to reduced pressure on the eyes, which can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing glaucoma. Additionally, studies have demonstrated that maintaining a habit of consistent cardio exercise can make you less likely to develop cataracts.
The link between exercise and eye health is still being studied, and it’s hard to say exactly how strong the correlation is. However, there’s no question that exercise provides massive benefits for your physical, mental, and emotional health. So, you have nothing to lose and plenty to gain by developing a healthy exercise routine; the possibility that it will help prevent future eye problems is icing on the cake!
What Is the Takeaway?
Ultimately, you have more control over the health of your eyes than you may realize. By maintaining a healthy diet and regularly exercising, you can decrease your risk of developing significant eye problems and stave off the decline of your vision. If you’re overdue for an eye exam or experiencing any kind of eye problem, contact us at Vision Institute of Michigan today to schedule an appointment.