How diet affects your eyes
Dear reader,
Remember the old joke: How do you know carrots are good for your eyes? Well, have you ever seen a rabbit with glasses? Carrots may be tasty, but is the myth that they are an eye-health superfood true? Let us look at different metabolic factors affecting eye health.
Most of us know at least one person with diabetes. You may also then know that diabetes has an effect on your eyes. It can cause diabetic retinopathy (blurry vision, spots in front of your eyes), and in a recent study that was published, the authors concluded that being near-sighted was likely a metabolic consequence of poor blood sugar regulation.
Another connection between vision and metabolism comes from the hormonal disease: PCOS. (Polycystic ovary syndrome) PCOS involves changes to the sex hormones, but it’s typically accompanied by insulin resistance and other metabolic symptoms as well. Women with PCOS usually struggle with dry eyes.
The study conducted in Australia showed that the glycaemic index of foods consumed over a ten-year period was linked to the rate of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is the most common cause of vision loss in the industrialized world, and as the name suggests, it typically hits people when they’re older.
Looking at nutrients, surprisingly enough, Vitamin A (which is in carrots!) isn’t actually all that important – it’s dangerous to have a deficiency, but most people in the industrialized world aren’t at any risk for that, and eating a huge overload isn’t likely to do any good.
Studies on AMD have found that high intake of fish/Omega-3 fats, nuts, Vitamin D, and certain carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin) are associated with lower rates of the disease.
Put all these things together, and you end up with the conclusion that maintaining stable blood sugar levels and healthy insulin metabolism, plus a diet low in refined carbs, high in micronutrients and adequate Omega-3 can help keep your eyes healthy, especially as you age.
Therefore, take care, stay healthy and look well after yourself and your eyes!
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.