Eyes and Eyesight
With the right foods you can fight Macular Degeneration (AMD), that is the deterioration of the retina, resulting in the progressive loss of vision, and other vision and eye disorders.
Helpful Vitamins & Nutrients
Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of unsaturated fat that the body does not produce. It can be acquired by eating fish and certain vegetables, such as brussel sprouts and green beans. It is beneficial to vision and the eyes and also help build brain cells. It can help prevent cardiovascular disease, blood clots, hardened arteries, and heart disease. Additionally, it can reduce inflammation and lower blood pressure.
Vitamin A (retinol) is essential for good eyesight and extremely helpful in preserving our skin, joints, eyes and internal organs. If there really was a Fountain of Youth, retinol would be one of the key ingredients and it would probably be reddish-orange due to the beta-Carotene. The body converts the red-orange pigment into Vitamin A. It also supports the immune system, bone metabolism, and development of embryos in reproduction. It is an antioxidant vitamin, which destroys free radicals in our body. Free radicals are produced by the body when we smoke, don’t eat a proper diet, or are exposed to stress or pollution. They are also suspected of contributing to cancer and cardiovascular disease. Pregnant women who are deficient in Vitamin A are more likely to have premature birth or very low birth weight. Women who have high levels of Vitamin A have a lower risk for breast cancer.
Vitamin A is made by your body when you eat carrots and other yellow and orange fruits and vegetables which contain beta-carotene, such as sweet potatoes, pumpkin, cantaloupe, papaya, peas, butternut squash, mango, and dried apricots. It is also found in spinach, kale, collard greens, broccoli, tomato juice, peppers, watercress and full fat dairy products (butter, milk, eggs, cheddar cheese). Interestingly enough, these are ready to eat raw and cooking them causes the loss of some of the vitamins. Liver, beef, chicken, turkey, and fish are also high in Vitamin A content.
Zinc is good for reducing inflammation, boosting the immune system, and facilitating healing. It can help treat or prevent acne and enables quicker recovery from the common cold. It can reduce the symptoms of diarrhea and help prevent or slow age-related diseases such as macular degeneration. Topically, it is used in ointments to treat diaper rash and sunburn. Too much zinc, however, can lead to a deficiency in copper, which could result in neurological issues.
Disclaimer:
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For best results, fresh, organic foods are recommended. Foods are most nutritious in their raw form, unless heating is required.
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Food sources are recommended over supplements, but in the event you must use supplements, be sure to purchase them from a reputable source. In the U.S., supplements are not regulated by the FDA.
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"Everything in moderation" is a good rule of thumb. Don't shock your system by eating dozens of apples (or anything) in one day. A balanced, yet varied diet is the goal.
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As with medicine, there are no guarantees. Preventative steps can help prevent illness and possibly prolong lives, but there are many contributing factors and variables which can sometimes produce unexpected results.
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Do research and consult your physician before making any serious changes to your diet. Discuss any allergies or concerns you may have.
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The information presented here is based on my research and years of note-taking. What started as a short list of cures for friends and family has grown into a full and very complex database, yet is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the benefits of eating healthy foods. This list is a work in progress and by no means complete. My goal is to help people suffering from various ailments, with a secondary goal of spreading the news about the miraculous healing power of foods. Use this information as a launchpad into your new healthy life.
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