Deteriorating eyesight and eye disease will strike an estimated 38 million baby boomers over the next two decades. Many will become functionally blind, unable to drive, and dependent on others to live.
Why is this threat so substantial?
Consider the fact that our eyes get almost NO protection from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. This bombardment of UV rays leads to free-radical damage responsible for the vast majority of vision problems. Worse yet, the great majority of Americans live in or near a city, where eyes are overexposed to pollution and suffer from more free radical damage than any other organ in your body.
New research indicates the free-radical assault on your eyes may be mitigated by feeding your body the right foods, taking natural supplementation containing powerful BIOAVAILABLE antioxidants, along with careful dieting and exercise.
There is increasing speculation of the importance of eating fresh fruits and vegetables, low glycemic carbohydrates, and foods high in omega 3 as evidenced by macular degeneration specialist Dr. Michael Samuel, author of "Macular Degeneration: A Complete Guide for Patients and Their Families" in which he states, "Early dry AMD (Age-related macular degeneration) can be prevented, slowed or even reversed with diet and lifestyle changes."
Suspicion of high-glycemic index foods in particular came into focus as a result of research conducted at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) at Tufts University. It observed that foods that cause our blood sugar to spike which then results in an increase secretion of insulin, may be harmful to our health and to our vision.
Foods to avoid include highly processed snack foods such as cakes, cookies, potato chips. Avoid partially hydrogenated fats, especially coconut oils. Also avoid the following:
• Roasted and Salted nuts
• Limit Red Meat to less than 3 times per month - and eat only lean cuts
• Fried chicken
The following are Good Foods for the Eyes:
• Eggs (organic non-bleached shell preferred)
• Unroasted (Raw) Almonds
• Wheat Germ
• Chicken (free-range is best)
• Turkey (free-range is best)
• Unroasted (Raw) Brazil Nuts
• Cold water fish such as salmon, cod, or haddock
Also, remember to eat a diet low in fat. Eat fish high in omega-3 fatty acids two to three times per week and increase your intake of green, leafy vegetables. If possible, reduce or quit smoking!
There is no need to rush at changing your habits. You have a better chance of sticking to them if you take things one at a time and make perhaps one change per week. An example would be if you eat at KFC once a week, change from their original fried recipe to the new lower fat grilled style.
Another example is to be sure to include cold-water fish in your diet 2 to 3 times a week for the eye-friendly Omega 3's. An easy way I did that was at McDonalds. Their Fish fillet is billed as cold-water cod so that worked for me. Remember, NO FRIES and the small side salad with Italian Vinegrette dressing for the lowest fat content.
Also, make it a priority to limit your snacks at work or play to perhaps, 4oz of raw almonds or brazil nuts (or cheat a little with raw cashews!) and a piece of fruit or low fat yogurt along with a bottle of fresh juice or spring water.
For the indulgent adventurers there are some low-glycemic chocolates out there (the internet is a good source) sweetened with xylitol or mannitol (natural plant based products that taste sweet) the advantage is they take much longer to assimilate in the body without quick-spiking your blood sugar like HFCS (high-fructose corn syrup) or beet and cane sugars.
And don't forget the major importance of natural supplements so you get the required fruit and veggie antioxidant levels that can mount an effective 'macular degeneration resistant' diet for your body!
David Flores is a natural health researcher and videographer with the Institute for Vibrant Living. Visit http://www.theivl.org a natural health information site sponsored by http://www.ivlproducts.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stanley_David_Flores
