6 Essential Nutrients That Can Improve Your Eye Health
Age-related eye diseases are the primary cause of poor vision and blindness in older adults, resulting from diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. Some nutrients play an essential role in eye health. Eye diseases are thought to be related in part to oxidative stress and damage, which has given interest to the possible role of antioxidants and other nutrients as supplements for eye health and the prevention of age-related eye diseases. Nutrients for Eye Health Most of the data to support nutrient supplementation for eye health comes from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), which used an antioxidant preparation containing: 15 milligrams (mg) of beta carotene180 mg of vitamin E500 mg of vitamin C80 mg of zinc2 mg of copper A follow-up AREDS study added 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin or omega-3 fatty acids and removed beta carotene. 1. Beta Carotene Beta carotene is a source of vitamin A. It is one of a few provit...