Blog Post by Natalie Bender
Nutrition and diet can affect your vision and eye health. Research has shown that nutrition can impact the development of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The two leading causes of blindness and visual impairment in the United States are AMD and cataracts.
These are a few nutrients that have been linked to reducing the risk of certain eye diseases including AMD and cataracts:
Lutein and Zeaxanthin: can be found in leafy green vegetables such as raw kale and spinach and eggs.
Vitamin C: can be found in many fruits and vegetables including broccoli, cantaloupe, cauliflower, kale, orange juice, sweet potatoes just to name a few.
Vitamin E: can be found in nuts and sweet potatoes.
Essential fatty acids: can be found in seafood such as salmon and tuna. It can also be found in nuts and seeds such as flaxseed, walnuts and chia seeds.
Zinc: Can be found in most foods such as red meat, poultry, chickpeas and nuts.
Source: American Optometric Association