Remember the old cartoon character Popeye? Every time he needed some added strength he’d pop open a can of spinach.
But strength isn’t the only thing he got from spinach. It probably powered up his vision and kept it crystal clear well into his old age.
While Popeye may not be a real person, it is true that spinach offers protective benefits for your eyes. The fact is, it’s a rich source of lutein andzeaxanthin. These are two nutrients concentrated in the macular pigment of your eyes that can help safeguard your eyesight and improve eyesight.
When your macula becomes damaged, it can be difficult to work or read in dim-light conditions. Words become blurred and your central vision may become fuzzy or hazy, even when you’re looking at something right in front of you.
But when the macular pigment remains dense, it can help keep your vision sharp and eagle-eyed as you age.1 It’s the difference between being independent – able to read, drive and work as long as you want – or counting on others to “be your eyes.”
You see, the macula protects your central sight from damaging blue light from the sun’s rays. It’s almost like having a pair of “internal sunglasses.”
Researchers believe that lutein and zeaxanthin help the macula absorb those harmful light rays. They also act as powerful antioxidants to protect your eyes from free radical damage and keep your eyesight clear and focused.2
The good new is that when you take steps to maintain macular density you can help maintain your youthful eyes and improve eyesight longer. And getting plenty of lutein and zeaxanthin is your first line of defense.
Along with spinach, there are many other foods that can help you get your fill of these sight-saving nutrients3…
- •Corn, which contains high quantities of lutein
•Orange peppers have a very large concentrations of zeaxanthin
•Egg yolks have substantial levels of both lutein and zeaxanthin
•Kiwi fruit, grapes, zucchini, squash and green leafy vegetables all provide both nutrients
Another way to promote healthy macular pigment is by getting plenty of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet.
The National Eye Institute sponsored a 12-year study on eye health. It’s called the Research from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). It showed that people who ate the most omega-3 fatty acids were 30% less likely to experience age-related macula issues.4 And the study authors suggest the results “may guide the development of low-cost and easily implemented preventive interventions.”
The primary fat found in the retina is an omega-3 fatty acid called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA.) It’s believed a constant supply of DHA may be necessary to keep your eyes working properly. Researchers say even a minor reduction in DHA could affect retinal function and the health of your macula.5
But you need to be careful about your source of these essential fatty acids. Plant-based omega-3 foods like flaxseed and walnuts don’t have DHA in them. It can only be found in seafood and quality fish oil capsules. Fish like tuna, mackerel, trout and salmon are all rich in DHA.
I also have more good news about omega-3′s. Especially if you’re plagued with dry, itchy and scratchy eyes. Turns out these healthy oils may offer lubrication to help reduce your symptoms.
This is important, because dry eyes can cause problems. If you have dry eyes, it can impair your vision. And irregularities in the ocular surface could affect your daily activities.6 So you want to keep your eyes as healthy and free from abnormalities as possible.
That’s why it was great news when a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that the more omega-3 fatty acids women ate, the less likely they were to suffer from dry eyes.7
However, adding lutein, zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to your eye health. Other nutrients can also play a very important role…
- •Vitamin C for clearer vision. As you age, opacities may form over the lens of the eye. When this happens, it can cloud your vision. Women from the Nurses’ Health Study who supplemented with vitamin C for 10 years or more had a 77% lower prevalence of developing early lens opacities.8
•Support ocular blood flow with ginkgo biloba. When blood flow in the eye is blocked, blood and ocular fluid build up and place pressure on the optic nerve. Eventually, the nerve can be damaged. In a small U.S. study, patients given ginkgo biloba showed significantly increased blood flow in the ophthalmic artery.9
•Bilberry may promote better night vision. It’s reported that during World War II, the British Royal Air Force used bilberry to increase their pilot’s night vision. While not all studies support this assertion, there is some evidence that bilberry can support normal nocturnal vision when taken daily.10
These and many other compounds found in the foods you eat can offer optimal eye support as you age. However, most people don’t prepare their meals based on their eye health. So it can be difficult to get all of the nutrients you need from your diet.
That’s why I offer my patients a unique supplement especially designed to protect and support their eye health. It’s called Eagle Eyes and it contains all of the nutrients above, plus 10 more eye-maintaining ingredients. That’s a total of 16 protective nutrients to help keep your vision clear for years to come.
When you start using Eagle Eyes, you’ll notice…
- • Sharper vision during the day
• Enhanced night vision, especially when driving
• Improve Eyesight
• Relief from eyestrain, headaches and fatigue
• Maximum protective support for your eyes
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