Foods That Help Your Eyesight

You might want to check out a book written by Dr. Robert Abel Jr, MD called “The Eye Care Revolution”. This book provides all kinds of information about eye health and foods that can improve your eyesight. You can actually prevent things like glaucoma, cataracts, dry eye and muscular degeneration by eating the right foods. Abel has been very busy doing eye research for more than 40 years. He is an ophthalmologist and now a founding partner in a care practice. He has two patents on artificial corneas along with a number of industry awards.

In an interview, we shared some information from his book about specific foods that are useful for maintaining and improving eye health.

According to Abel, nine foods for eye health include:

Fish – particularly cold water fish such as tuna, cod and sardines. These are rich in omega-3s to providing support for all your cell membranes. Cell membranes are mostly comprised of fatty acids and the acids need to be replaced often. Omega-3's can ward off dry eye, muscular degeneration and maintain proper vision.

Green leafy vegetables – such as kale and spinach. These contain powerful antioxidants including zeaxanthin and lutein. The carotenoid lutein, wards off muscular degeneration from sun exposure and blue light as well.

Eggs – high in protein and specifically sulfur containing amino acids such as cysteine. This helps to protect you from cataracts and thereby protecting your lens.

Bulbs and fruits – were looking at capers, shallots, onions and garlic. These also have a high sulfur content. The sulfur here is important for the production of glutathione which is a powerful antioxidant that aids in protecting your lens.

Organic soy – contains a lot of protein, omega-3's, vitamin E and phytoestrogens. Soy also contains powerful anti-inflammatory molecules.

Blueberries and grapes – these fruits contain high concentrations of anthocyanins which are powerful antioxidants that support your night vision.

Wine – high in proanthocyanidins. These are powerful antioxidants good for the whole body and brain but particularly good for blood flow, vision and heart function.

Nuts – in particular flaxseed which is high in omega-3's. Again this helps to maintain the cell membrane in all your tissues including your eyes.

Organic olive oil – contains omega-3s and better for you than margarine/butter.

According to online sources, he performs 400 cataract surgeries a year. However he provides therapy for 6 times that without surgery by using diet. He says you need veggies/fruit high in Vitamins C, A and E, lutein and cysteine. This can reduce your risk of developing cataracts by more than 50%. To fight off glaucoma, you need to take in foods high in Vitamins C and B12 and omega-3's. You can decrease the risk of muscular degeneration with foods high in vitamins A, D, and E along with zeaxanthins and taurine (amino acid). Diabetic retinopathy can be delayed with such foods that are high in vitamin C, Quercetin and lipoic acid. Furthermore, don't forget drinking lots of water every day to keep hydrated. You should take in about 6 eight-ounce glasses daily.

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