Have you ever watched your elderly parent try to search for something only to find it was right in front of them? If only there was a blog out there about how to get super eyesight.
You know how important your loved one’s eyesight is, and you want to keep their eyes healthy forever. With a few simple herbs, vitamins, and healthy food choices, you can help your loved ones maintain healthy eyes so they can enjoy seeing the world around them for years to come.
In today’s fast-paced world, age only compounds how many people are experiencing visual problems due to long hours of screen time, low circulation, and high stress levels. However, traditional education on herbs for eyesight has been around for centuries.
According to the National Institute for Aging, our eyes naturally go through changes as we age. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/aging-and-your-eyes
Some signs of aging are when you start to need reading glasses when opening your email or notice that you can’t see your plate clearly in a dimly lit restaurant. Other changes could be signs of more serious eye concerns. Along with the normal signs of aging, a regular eye exam with dilation can keep you on top of problems such as:
- Cataracts
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Glaucoma
- Dry Eye Syndrome
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration
At Amy’s Eden, our loving staff members care for the well-being of your family member. We support your efforts in safeguarding the health of your loved one’s eyes. Here are a few herbs, spices, and foods that can be added to delicious meal choices that have amazing health benefits.
Common Spices
Most kitchens have a spice rack. Many common spices we think of just for flavoring our food have amazing health benefits. So spice up your meals and know that you are also helping to protect your eyes from age-related diseases. Here are a few spices you might already be using:
Turmeric
This Asian spice has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Turmeric is a natural source of curcumin. Curcumin is where turmeric gets its incredible antioxidant and anti-inflammatory abilities.
Some studies found that turmeric is great for killing bacteria that can cause eye infections, and it can also help reduce swelling for people with dry eyes. But the bummer is that our bodies don’t soak up turmeric when we eat it. Luckily, if you put black pepper in your turmeric recipes, your body can make better use of the good stuff in turmeric. Plus, your food will taste even yummier with a little extra spice!
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6745545/
Paprika
Vitamin A is essential for healthy eyes, and Paprika is loaded with vitamin A. One tablespoon of paprika contains 19% of your daily requirement of vitamin A.
Studies have shown that eating more paprika can help decrease your risk of AMD, Age-related Macular Degeneration. Paprika does not carry a strong smell or taste, so it’s easy to add it to salads and other dishes.
Another way to boost your vitamin A is through beta-carotene. Our bodies convert beta-carotene to vitamin A. Eating more of this important nutrient will help make sure you’re never deficient in vitamin A. So eat your carrots – a good source of beta-carotene – and add some paprika to your favorite carrot recipe.
Basil
Basil contains two antioxidants, Lutein and Zeaxanthin, that can help guard against age-related eye diseases. Your eye, specifically in the areas of your lens and retina, needs these two antioxidants to stay healthy and strong. But our body can’t make them on its own. We need to eat antioxidant-rich foods like basil to add to our eye-health arsenal.
You can throw a little basil into a soup or sauce to make your recipe burst with flavor.
Now you can add this spice and know that you are also adding important antioxidants to your diet.
Specialty Herbs
Not-so-common herbs are great for your eye health as well. Whether made into teas or compresses, you can add these herbs to your list of eye-healthy ingredients.
It is important to note that while the herbs listed below are considered safe, it is always a good idea to consult your healthcare professional before using a new health product, especially if you are concerned about an existing medical condition.
Here are some of the beneficial herbs you might not know are also good for eye health and can improve vision:
- EYEBRIGHT – Traditionally used for eye-related problems. Reduces inflammation and improves eye health. Antibacterial properties give relief to swelling and burning eyes.
- FENNEL – An anti-inflammatory rinse made from fennel seeds can help with eye sensitivity and can help reduce eye strain and fatigue.
- GINKGO BILOBA – Improves blood flow to the eye and is shown to help macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
- CHAMOMILE – Gentle antibacterial properties that help with pink eye and other eye infections.
- CALENDULA – Rich in lutein, this herb makes a great cold compress or eyewash to fight free radicals that harm our eye tissue.
Foods for Healthy Eyes
In addition to providing delicious herbs to benefit your loved one’s eye health, Amy’s Eden also provides important foods on their menu that contain eyesight-supporting vitamins and minerals.
To maintain healthy eyesight, add herbs and spices to a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish. These foods provide the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals necessary to protect the eyes from damage. They also reduce the risk of age-related eye diseases.
Here are a few good choices that Amy’s Eden adds to the menu to help maintain your loved one’s eye health:
Leafy Green Veggies, like spinach and kale, are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, essential nutrients for healthy eyes. They act as antioxidants that protect the eyes from harmful free radicals and UV radiation. They also help to prevent age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
Citrus Fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, and lemons are high in vitamin C. This powerful antioxidant helps reduce the risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Vitamin C also plays a vital role in producing collagen, a protein that helps maintain healthy eyes.
Nuts and Seeds are excellent sources of vitamin E that protect the eye from oxidative damage. Some of the best sources of vitamin E are almonds, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, and peanuts.
Carrots are an excellent source of beta-carotene which is a type of vitamin A. Beta-carotene helps to prevent night blindness and can also improve vision in low-light conditions.
Fish like salmon, tuna, and mackerel are high in omega-3 fatty acids. These essential fatty acids play a critical role in your loved one’s eye health by protecting the eyes from inflammation and reducing the risk of age-related macular degeneration.
Eggs are another excellent source of lutein and zeaxanthin. They also contain vitamin E and zinc. These vitamins protect the retina from damage caused by harmful UV radiation and oxidative stress.
Berries like blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. These little gems treat your eyes with nutrients that reduce the risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Berries also contain anthocyanins which can help improve night vision and reduce eye stress.
Sweet Potatoes are another great source of beta-carotene and vitamins A and C. They can help reduce the risk of age-related eye problems. Vitamin A can help protect the cornea and support the health of the retina.
Whole Grains are rich in vitamin E, zinc, and niacin. These nutrients protect the eyes from oxidative stress and can reduce the risk of cataracts.
Bilberry is a fruit native to South Europe that contains a compound called anthocyanosides, which helps in lower the risk of heart disease and lower the pressure in the eyes. Bilberry may improve visual symptoms of disease, including loss of visual acuity, and could also reduce the symptoms of conjunctivitis. Bilberry drops or other products may also be effective as a treatment for these symptoms. A recent study has shown that bilberry can improve circulation and lower weight in patients.
Making the Best Eye Choices in 2023
It’s always a great time to try new recipes and spices that benefit our health. Try some herbal turmeric ginger tea, or sprinkle some paprika on your morning eggs. With good nutrition and the right added ingredients, Amy’s Eden provides healthy options to support your loved one’s aging eyes. We want our clients to see both the sunrise and the sunset with clarity and peace of mind for years to come.
With the support of Amy’s Eden and our holistic approach to caring for our clients, our delicious meal choices don’t just taste good, but they also support your loved one’s health. Now you can go look your mother in the eyes with peace of mind.
