EYE Care

Food Sources for Nutrients

Amino Acids | Bioflavonoids | Carotenoids | Essential Fatty Acids | Minerals | Other Nutrients | Vitamins Here is an outline of vision nutrients with cross references to specific diseases and recommended products.

Amino Acids

Cysteine – is important for a healthy retina. Taken as N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), it increases production of gluatathione, one of the most important antioxidants in the eye.

• Food Sources: Eggs.
• Other sources: Supplements
• Recommended Dose: 500-1000 mg in the form of N-acetyl cysteine daily.
• Eye Conditions: Macular Degeneration , Glaucoma, Cataracts
• Recommended Products: Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula, Pure Focus

Taurine – normally found in high concentrations in the retina, it is important to for the maintenance of vision and the regeneration of worn out tissues of the visual system.

• Food Sources: Eggs, fish.
• Other sources: Supplements
• Recommended Dose: 500 daily.
• Eye Conditions: Macular Degeneration , Glaucoma
• Recommended Product(s): Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula, Liquid Taurine 

Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s)

Omega 3 Fatty Acids - fats are essential for nerve conduction in the retina and to reduce cholesterol.

• Food Sources: Cold water fish (including salmon, tuna, mackerel, halibut), flax seed oil, black current oil, walnuts and walnut oils, dark leafy vegetables, eggs (from free range chickens preferred), spices (including mustard, fennel, cumin and Fenugreek).
• Recommended Dose: 1500 mg daily
• Eye Conditions: Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration
• Recommended Products: Carlson's Fish Oil, BioTears
• Note: Any time oils are increased in the diet, for example by eating nuts or using lots of cooking oils, be sure to increase intake of vitamins A, B3, B6, C, E and minerals zinc, selenium, and manganese for proper absorption.

Omega-6 Fatty Acids – are important to protect cells from degenerative changes and to reduce inflammation throughout the body.

• Food Sources: Human mother’s milk, evening primrose, borage and black currant oils.
• Recommended Dose: 1500 mg daily
• Eye Conditions: Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration
• Recommended Products: Carlson's Fish Oil, BioTears 

Vitamins

Vitamin A – we usually recommend taking vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A with a small amount of fat in the diet.

• Food Sources: Yellow and orange vegetables, including yams, carrots and sweet potatoes, asparagus, spinach, butternut squash, kale, bok choy, mangoes, cataloupe, apricots.
• Other Sources: Supplements
• Recommended Dose: Approximately 15,000 to 25,000 I.U. of beta-carotene daily.
• Eye Conditions: Macular Degeneration , Glaucoma, Cataracts, Dry Eyes
• Recommended Products: Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula, BioTears, Vitamin A
• Note: If you have a low thyroid problem, diabetes or problems with fat absorption, beta-carotene may have difficulty converting to vitamin A.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) – aids in the reception of light by the retina, and is necessary for glutathione production.

• Food Sources: Brewer’s yeast, beans, wheat germ, whole grains, almonds.
• Other Sources: Supplements
• Recommended Dose: 10 mg daily.
• Eye Conditions: Macular Degeneration , Glaucoma, Cataracts, Dry Eyes
• Recommended Product(s): Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula, Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin
• Note: If deficient in vitamin B2, it may help with the following conditions: 1) soreness around the eyes, 2) eyes tiring easily, 3) sensitivity to light, 4) dry eyes, 5) cataracts, 6) conjuntivitus, 7) macular degeneration, 8) styes.

Folic Acid - also called folacin and folate, is a water soluble B-vitamin that helps build healthy cells. "Water soluble" means it does not stay in your body for very long, so you need to take it every day to help prevent neural tube defects. During periods of rapid growth, such as pregnancy and fetal development, the body's requirement for this vitamin increases.

• Food Sources: Green leafy vegetables, and broccoli.
• Other Sources: Supplements
• Recommended Dose: 400 mcg daily.
• Eye Conditions: Cataracts,
• Recommended Product(s): Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula, Folic Acid
• Note: Should be taken with vitamin B12 and Zinc.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) – found to be deficient in almost all persons with macular degeneration. B6 aids in the proper absorption of magnesium, and has a diuretic effect which helps decrease eye pressure.

• Food Sources: Avocados, bananas, brewer’s yeast, carrots, brown rice, wheat germ, sunflower seeds.
• Other Sources: Supplements
• Recommended Dose: 50 mg daily.
• Eye Conditions: Dry Eyes
• Recommended Products: Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula, BioTears

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) seems to improve or prevent the worsening of eyesight in glaucoma patients, apparently by preventing the degeneration of the fatty layer surrounding the nerve cells called the myelin sheath.

• Food Sources: Eggs, sardines, clams, mackerel.
• Other Sources: Supplements
• Recommended Dose: up to 1,000 mcg per day (therapeutic dosage). RDA is 5 mcg per day.
• Eye Conditions: Glaucoma, Optic Nerve Problems
• Recommended Product: Vital Eyes Complete

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) is the queen of antioxidants, helping neutralize free radicals, plus serves as a natural ultraviolet filter inside the eye. The eye has the second highest concentration of Vitamin C in the body next to the adrenal glands.

• Food Sources: Broccoli, green cabbage, bell peppers, red peppers, kale, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, tangerines, kiwi fruit, oranges, lemons, papayas.
• Other Sources: Supplements
• Recommended Dose: 500-3000 mg daily.
• Eye Conditions: Macular Degeneration , Glaucoma, Cataracts, Dry Eyes
• Recommended Products: Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula, BioTears
• Note: Large doses of vitamin C may cause diarrhea. If so, reduce the dosage.

Vitamin E is another antioxidant that helps reduce eye pressure. Choose the natural “d” form, not the synthetic “dl” form.

• Food Sources: Wheat germ, brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, almonds, broccoli, mangoes, http://www.naturaleyecare.com/eye-disease-prevention/food-sources-for-nutrients.aspavocados.
• Other Sources: Supplements
• Recommended Dose: 400-500 I.U.’s daily.
• Eye Conditions: Macular Degeneration , Glaucoma, Cataracts,
• Recommended Products: Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula, Pure Focus
• Note: If you are taking blood thinning drugs, consult with your physician due to the fact that vitamin E thins the blood. Note that vitamin E also has been shown to reduce the need for insulin among diabetics.

FOR COMPLETE INFO VISIT 
http://www.naturaleyecare.com/eye-disease-prevention/food-sources-for-nutrients.asp