{"id":6649,"date":"2024-01-07T12:30:07","date_gmt":"2024-01-07T12:30:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/121dietitian.com\/?p=6649"},"modified":"2024-04-21T22:01:30","modified_gmt":"2024-04-21T21:01:30","slug":"diet-and-eyesight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/121dietitian.com\/?p=6649","title":{"rendered":"Diet and Eyesight :The Vital Connection"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Today, I am going to explore a topic that’s often overlooked: the relationship between Diet & Eyesight. It is so important and I can’t believe I haven’t talked about it before! Your eyes are a windows to your overall health and can really impact your quality of life if you find yourself with an eye related health problem.<\/p>\n

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Welcome if you are new here to 121 Dietitian. I’m Gillian Killiner, founder of 121 Dietitian, and I have been writing blogs for many years on various topics alongside my clinical work. So hopefully you will find some information relevant or interesting to you.<\/p>\n

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Understanding the Basics – Diet & Eyesight<\/h2>\n

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So what does the eye do? The human eye is a complex organ. It works like a camera by capturing and processing light, which is then transformed into visual information that our brain can understand.<\/p>\n

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Its well-being relies on a variety of nutrients to function optimally. These nutrients can be obtained through a balanced diet, and they play a crucial role in maintaining good eyesight throughout your life.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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So lets look first at foods that could impact negatively on your eye health:<\/p>\n

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1. Sugary Drinks<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Sugary fizzy drinks, energy drinks, sweet tea, and lemonade, high fructose syrups. These beverages are often loaded with sugar, and excessive sugar consumption can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. These conditions, in turn, can lead to eye problems like diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Just to put things in perspective, a single soft drink can contain a whopping 37 grams of sugar! So, it’s wise to be mindful of how many sodas you consume daily.<\/p>\n

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2. Fish & Shellfish<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Fish and shellfish are generally considered healthy sources of protein and essential nutrients. However, they do contain small amounts of mercury. While this isn’t a major concern for most people, certain groups are more susceptible to health problems related to mercury exposure. This includes pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children. For these individuals, it’s recommended to limit fish intake to 2 portions per week to reduce the risk of eye damage.<\/p>\n

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3. Bread Products<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Bread products, such as white bread and pasta, are daily dietary staples for many of us. However, they contain simple carbohydrates that are digested quickly, leading to rapid spikes in blood sugar levels. This can contribute to chronic inflammation, a condition linked to AMD. If you’re worried about the impact of bread products on your eye health, consider limiting your consumption and exploring whole-grain alternatives.<\/p>\n

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4. Prepackaged Foods<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Prepackaged foods are convenient but often not healthy and frequently contain high levels of sodium, which can lead to high blood pressure. Elevated blood pressure, can damage your retina and result in a condition known as hypertensive retinopathy. To reduce your sodium intake, look for “low sodium” labels on canned goods, soups, and sauces when food shopping, but more importantly rethink the amount you use of these products and consider how you can cook with natural ingredients when possible.<\/p>\n

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5. Processed Meat<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Processed meats like bacon, deli meats, sausages are loved by many but can be high in sodium as well. Beyond contributing to hypertensive retinopathy, excessive sodium intake can cause choroidopathy, characterized by fluid buildup under the retina, and neuropathy, which can lead to blockages in blood flow.<\/p>\n

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So the message here is to watch your salt and sugar intake as this can go a long way in preserving your eye health.<\/p>\n

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So what can you eat instead? Thankfully there is an abundant variety of foods and fluids that can assist and nourish the eyes.<\/p>\n

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Key Nutrients for Healthy Eyes<\/h2>\n

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