Which supplements help maintain or improve eye health?
This entry was posted in News on 21st April 2022 by Marci Cornett
Are you doing anything to protect the health of your eyes? We’ve noticed it’s something people tend to ignore… until their eyes start to cause major discomfort. Or they get a diagnosis and they want a way to slow its progression.
But even if your eyes are currently testing well, it’s worth taking steps to prevent serious problems down the road.
Because we have evidence that hits even closer to home…
Take it from our shop manager, Fleur. Her mum is 88 and has better eyesight than she does. Her cataracts never develop. She can even read the ingredients on a supplement bottle without glasses. (How many of us could or will be able to say that at 48, let alone 88?)
Fleur’s mum puts it down to omega-rich flax oil and lutein. She’s taken both for the past 40 years. She believes they’ve done their job to preserve and protect her eyes.
So how can you set yourself up for healthy eyes at 88 and beyond?
It starts with addressing minor issues (before they become major ones). And choosing supplements that give your eyes the nutrients they need.
What can you do to maintain the health of your eyes?
No matter your age or the condition of your eyes, it’s smart to supplement for eye health.
You don’t have to bring home special ‘just-for-eyes’ supplements. A full-spectrum multivitamin along with a few extra single nutrient supplements will do.
They’ll give you the nutrients you need to protect the different layers of the eyes and help prevent progressive eye disease, including macular degeneration - the most common cause of age-related vision loss.
This complex is made from superfoods that support full-body health. It also contains robust amounts of nutrients essential to eye health: vitamins A, C and E, and minerals zinc and selenium.
Research shows that vitamin D can help prevent macular degeneration. Last year the Irish government released a special report that recommended every adult in Ireland take a vitamin D supplement, because deficiency is so common. To reverse deficiency, it’s necessary to supplement beyond what a multi provides.
It’s also common - particularly among women - for the body to require more magnesium beyond what diet and a multi provide. When it comes to eye health, magnesium promotes blood flow to the eyes, supports normal ocular tissues, and protects the retina against oxidative damage. And evidence shows that in the long-term, magnesium helps reduce the risk of glaucoma.
How can you relieve dry eyes that are also watery?
It seems contradictory, but watery eyes are often caused by dry eye syndrome. That’s because when your eyes become excessively dry, they attempt to overcompensate by producing (too many) tears.
You soon start to feel trapped in a vicious cycle. The way to stop it? Make sure those eyes are properly lubricated.
An herbal remedy for when your dry eyes need instant relief. Apply a few drops anytime throughout the day. The soothing combination of eyebright and hyaluronic acid immediately hydrates the eyes. You’ll want a bottle with you wherever you go. Eskimo Omega 3
Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce ocular inflammation and replenish the oily layer of the eyes. Over time, this helps relieve the itching, burning, and redness associated with dry eyes. Omega-3s are also believed to protect the eyes from blepharitis (inflamed eyelids caused by clogged glands) and conjunctivitis (pink eye).
The vegan way to get in your omega-3s. Taking flax oil regularly can help protect the cornea and stop tears from evaporating. Overall, contributing to less inflammation and more moisture in the eyes.
The linoleic acids and antioxidants in sea buckthorn oil nourish the tear film of the eyes. This is the layer that helps the eyes lock in moisture so they feel less dry and more comfortable.
Bonus tip: What to do if your dry eyes also feel tired…
Make sure the blue light on any screens is reduced for evening use. You can also soothe tired eyes by applying a warm compress for a few minutes at least once a day.
What supplements can help with progressive eye disease?
Starting around the age of 40, the development of progressive eye disease becomes much more common.
Most of us have probably seen a beloved older person - or even a beloved older pet - with cloudy cataracts in the centre of their eyes. Or we know someone who no longer drives because they’ve been determined legally blind due to macular degeneration.
But just because eye disease is common to ageing, it doesn’t mean it’s inevitable.
And even after the onset of disease, there are still steps you can take to slow its progression and boost the health of your eyes.
How to supplement to prevent / improve eye disease:
Omega Vision contains those oh-so-important anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids PLUS research-backed lutein and zeaxanthin - two of the carotenoids (a type of antioxidant) that are most important to eye health. Daily supplementation of these carotenoids is thought to slow down vision loss due to eye disease - or protect against it altogether.
Quite often, we have customers come in for this product specifically because their eye specialist has recommended it following a diagnosis of either cataracts or macular degeneration. Its high concentrations of the carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin rapidly enrich the macular pigment at the back of the eye. These pigments are necessary for good vision as well as preventing or improving eye disease.
What's the best simple option to help prevent eye disease?
If you decide to only take one supplement to protect the health of your eyes, make it this one.
Think of this as a multi specifically for your eyes. It contains a long list of nutrients that target eye health including macular carotenoids, vegan omega 3, vitamin C, zinc and beta carotene. These eye-nourishing antioxidants helpfight inflammation and the development of eye disease.
How to improve eye health naturally
Each of these supplements will support the health of your eyes. But just like all holistic treatments, they don’t work in isolation.
Supplements do their best work when they’re underpinned by a good diet, quality sleep and regular exercise. A few other habits specific to your eyes:
wear sunglasses when outdoors
touch your eyes minimally and only with clean hands
take breaks from screen use every 20 minutes
keep up regular eye exams
And that’s how you lay the foundations for strong eyes well into your 80s and beyond.
This entry was posted in News on 21st April 2022 by Marci Cornett
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