Supplements visual degeneration
Food supplements to fight against visual degeneration: what is it?
Dietary supplements in the prevention of degenerative diseases of the eye include:
- Antioxidants such as carotenoids, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, copper, selenium, flavonoids;
- Essential fatty acids like omega-3 intake is important for the cells of the retina because the body can not synthesize them.
Two structures of the eye are affected by aging.
Dietary supplements studied prevention of pathologies related degenerative eye the lens (cataract prevention) and the retina (prevention of AMD: Macular degeneration related to age).
- The progressive cataract is a clouding of the lens, rare before age 65, and risk of occurrence increases with age.
- AMD is the leading cause of blindness among people over 55 years in developed countries.
It is linked to a progressive deterioration of cells in the central area of the retina (called the macula) with two forms of AMD may be associated: the dry or atrophic form (80-85% of cases) and the wet or exudative, more serious (15 to 20% of cases).
What is the action of antioxidants in the eye?
Some antioxidants have a protective effect on the aging of the eye by neutralizing or fighting against the formation of free radicals (molecules of aggressive cells) associated with a process of tissue oxidation.
The retina and lens structures are ideal for generating the formation of free radicals, in particular due to a higher oxygen consumption than other tissues.
The protective effect of antioxidants from food supplements on the eye
It is emphasized in the context of studies have shown:
- A preventive efficacy of supplementation (6 years) dietary supplements rich in antioxidants (high doses of vitamins C and E, beta carotene and zinc - exceed the recommended dietary allowances), with 25% reduction in the risk of passing a more severe form (exudative);
- A beneficial effect on the prevention of degenerative diseases of the eye with supplementation (6 mg / d) of two carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin), both of which are major constituents of pigments located in the macula of the retina;
- Reduced risk of developing cataracts among women who consume more vegetables rich in vitamin E, lutein and zeaxanthin;
- Reduced risk of exudative form of AMD with DHA supplementation (derived from essential fatty acids omega-3).
What is the action of antioxidants in the eye?
Some antioxidants have a protective effect on the aging of the eye by neutralizing or fighting against the formation of free radicals (molecules of aggressive cells) associated with a process of tissue oxidation.
The retina and lens structures are ideal for generating the formation of free radicals, in particular due to a higher oxygen consumption than other tissues.
The protective effect of antioxidants on the eye is emphasized in the context of studies have shown:
- A preventive efficacy of supplementation (6 years) dietary supplements rich in antioxidants (high doses of vitamins C and E, beta carotene and zinc - exceed the recommended dietary allowances), with 25% reduction in the risk of passing a more severe form (exudative);
- A beneficial effect on the prevention of degenerative diseases of the eye with supplementation (6 mg / d) of two carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin), both of which are major constituents of pigments located in the macula of the retina;
- Reduced risk of developing cataracts among women who consume more vegetables rich in vitamin E, lutein and zeaxanthin;
- Reduced risk of exudative form of AMD with DHA supplementation (derived from essential fatty acids omega-3).
The interest of these photoprotective antioxidants is to fight against the free radicals generated by the absorption of light at the eye structures and cons of antioxidant defenses decline with aging.
Main foods protective elements of the eye
- Fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C.
- Fruits and vegetables yellow, orange, red and green leaves, rich in lutein and zeaxanthin:
- Spinach, lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, peppers, soy;
- Mangoes, oranges, peaches, papayas.
- Oilseeds and vegetable oils rich in vitamin E.
- Salads (wild purslane, lamb's lettuce) nuts (walnuts, hazelnuts, cashew seed ...), vegetable oils (rapeseed, walnut, hazelnut ...) rich in omega-3.
- Oily fish from cold seas (sardine, mackerel, tuna, salmon, herring, cod ...) rich in DHA (derived from omega-3).
What should I be wary?
Be wary of the sun and tobacco attack the body and increase the risk of developing cataracts and AMD.
Alerts: If you want to know more fresh update helpful articles enter your email address below and be notified by mail.
