5 Things You Can Do For Your Eyesight
By Living Better on October 24, 2019
You may recall how the British had claimed during World War 2 their diet had influenced their ability to see during black-outs. Their diets contained high amounts of carrots, which they attributed to improved eyesight. There is at least a bit of truth to the carrots/vision presumption. Beta-carotene, which is found in the vegetable, may help reduce the risk of cataract and macular degeneration.
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss, affecting more than 10 million Americans. Age-related Macular Degeneration impacts the aged community more than cataracts and glaucoma combined. It is caused by the deterioration of the central portion of the retina. This inside layer at the back of the eye records the images seen. The image is then sent via an optic nerve from the eye to the brain. The retina’s central portion, known as the macula, is responsible for focusing central vision in the eye. It controls our ability to read, drive a car, recognize faces or colors, and see objects in fine detail.
The biggest risk factor for Macular Degeneration is age, and the disease is most likely to occur in those 55 and older. We have collected the top tips from doctors to reduce the impact your age has on your eyesight;
5 Things You Can Do For Your Eyesight
- Do not smoke. Smoking increases the number of damaging chemical compounds and reduces the number of protective nutrients delivered by the bloodstream to the eye
- Eat healthy foods with a diet rich in green, leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, and collard greens. Eat fresh fruits.
- Avoid processed snack foods such as cakes, cookies, potato chips, candy, and soft drinks. Higher consumption of specific types of dietary fat commonly found in snack foods may be associated with an increased risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness and vision impairment in the United States, according to a paper in the August issue of the JAMA of Ophthalmology
- Take a Saffron Supplement. Saffron (Crocus sativus) is a spice containing the antioxidant carotenoids crocin and crocetin. Saffron has been known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and retinal-protective effects in AMD.
- Wear sunglasses and a hat with a visor in bright sunlight to protect your eyes. You need to protect against harmful ultra-violet (UV) light and blue light.
Saffron, The World’s Most Legendary Spice
A review on the biological properties of saffron (Bathaie, & Mousavi, 2010) has indicated a wide range of useful biological properties in neuronal, cardiovascular, atherosclerosis, respiratory system, and blood pressure, and ocular benefits. According to Professor Silvia Bisti from the University of Sydney, who carried out a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over clinical study in AMD patients, ‘Patients’ vision improved after taking the saffron pill’
Saffron is a delicious and colorful seasoning used in bread, desserts, and main dishes throughout the world. From the Middle East to Europe, and all Mediterranean dishes use Saffron. Without it, Indian curry or a Spanish paella just wouldn’t be the same. It is expensive because it is an extremely labor-intensive crop. More than 80,000 crocus flowers must be grown, and hand-harvested to make one pound of saffron.
In addition to the benefits from Saffron to help with your eyesight and maintaining a clear vision, Saffron as an antioxidant helps protect your body’s cells from damage caused by free radicals. With continued use, we can only see the benefit of adding this herb to your meals and cooking. However, if you don’t have space and time to grow thousands of Saffron flowers for their stigmas, you can always purchase the Saffron supplements.
