Strengthen Your Eyesight With These Supplements

Most people succumb to the fact that age will weaken their eyes. They automatically visit their ophthalmologist, get diagnosed with a vision weakness and begin wearing glasses or contacts. There is, however, preventative measures you can take to stave off the inevitable. You may even be able to strengthen your eyesight with these supplements for clearer, stronger vision well into old age. If you already wear glasses, there is a chance to improve your vision where your prescription may end up being reversed. Talk to your doctor about taking one or more of the below supplements for your future vision health.

Dynamic Duo: Lutein and Zeaxanthin

Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids, organic pigments found in plants which give them color. Appropriately these two compounds are related to increasing eyesight pigmentation, strength and may be used as prevention for atherosclerosis or cancer. A study published in the journal Archives of Ophthalmology reported that, “Lutein and zeaxanthin may be considered as useful agents in food or supplement-based interventions designed to reduce the risk of AMD [age related macular degeneration],” Foods that contain lutein and zeaxanthin are eggs, spinach, kale, turnip greens, collard greens, romaine lettuce, broccoli, zucchini, corn, garden peas and Brussels sprouts. Supplementation should exceed 2.4 mg daily. Follow directions and talk to your doctor for proper dosage protocol.

The Triplet: C, E, and Zinc

The three supplements of Vitamins C & E, and Zinc combined make up a pretty good preventative or current cocktail for AMD.  The National Eye Institute of the U.S. Institutes of Health found that a combination of items that include vitamins C, E, and zinc (along with others) reduced the risk of developing advanced AMD by about 25 percent. The dosage included 500 milligrams of vitamin C, 400 International Units (IUs) of vitamin E, combined with 80 mg of zinc and 2 mg of copper (to prevent anemia from the high dose of zinc).

Bilberry and Gingko

Bilberry and gingko biloba might be a good “one-two-punch” when considering a botanical medicine for improving your eyesight.

• Bilberry – Sometimes referred to as the “vision herb,” bilberries contain anthocyanins which are phenolic compounds that give them their purple, bluish, reddish colors. These “improve night vision and can prevent glaucoma, cataracts and computer-vision fatigue. Its antioxidant flavonoid compounds also strengthen retinal capillaries and can prevent or treat early-stage macular degeneration. New evidence shows that the anthocyanins in bilberry protect retinal ganglion cells—a type of neuron in the retina—against damage.” (healthiertalk)

• Gingko Biloba – According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, “The flavonoids found in ginkgo may help stop or reduce some problems with the retina, the back part of the eye. Macular degeneration, often called age-related macular degeneration or AMD, is an eye disease that affects the retina. The number one cause of blindness in the Unites States, AMD is a degenerative eye disease that gets worse as time goes on. Some studies suggest that ginkgo may help preserve vision in those with AMD.”

Coffee?

That’s right, a Cornell University study found that due to coffee’s high volume (especially green coffee beans) of the powerful antioxidant chlorogenic acid (CLA), it may be just the thing to prevent retinal degeneration. Published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (12/13), Cornell reports that, “In the study, mice eyes were treated with nitric oxide, which creates oxidative stress and free radicals, leading to retinal degeneration, but mice pretreated with CLA developed no retinal damage.” There is no dosage recommendations yet, talk to your doctor about coffee’s benefits.

Attempting to strengthen your eyesight with these supplements may help prevent or improve your vision health challenge. Always check with your doctor before taking any supplements for your vision as some people may react differently due to various factors.