photograph of a dish with lemon slices and salmon
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Eye Health

As I am getting older, eye health has of course become one of my top priorities. And when I find tips easy to implement that can benefit my eyesight, I try to execute them as much as possible. Today, I am going to go over what foods are particularly beneficial for your vision.

Foods for Eye Health

Some nutrients are extremely beneficial to eye health. 

  • Vitamins A, C, E, and zinc, all rich antioxidants. Avocados, strawberries, broccoli, red peppers, carrots, leafy greens, and sweet potatoes, for instance, offer quite a bit of these nutrients.
  • Omega 3’s (especially DHA) like in salmon, sardines, and herring, aid in maintaining eye health.
  • Lutein and zeaxanthin, which can be found in egg yolks, zucchini, brussels sprouts, and green leafy vegetables, for instance, help with boosting eye health.
  • Astaxanthin and bilberry. Astaxanthin (a remarkable antioxidant) is found in abundance in wild-caught sockeye salmon, krill, algae, red trout, lobster, crab, shrimp, crawfish, salmon roe, and red seabream.

On a Final Note

Our food choices have a clear impact on our overall health and eye health. The eyes being an extension of the brain, I also apply myself to consume brain-boosting foods on a daily basis. And supporting our mitochondria (the powerhouses of the cells) may be just as important. Consult your personal physician and see what would work best for you to maintain long-term eye health!

Until next time!

References

Asprey, Team. “Hacking Your Eyes: Improving Vision and Eyesight.” Dave Asprey, 1 Apr. 2021, daveasprey.com/hacking-your-eyes-improving-vision-and-eyesight/. Accessed 18 Aug. 2022.

Seymour, Jacqueline. “Health Coach Tip – Promote Eye Health Naturally.” Frank Lipman MD, 17 Aug. 2022, drfranklipman.com/2022/08/17/health-coach-tip-promote-eye-health-naturally/. Accessed 18 Aug. 2022.

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Why consume omega-3 fats?

The importance of omega-3 fats is unquestionable due to the numerous health benefits that come from them. Omega-3 fats are polyunsaturated fats. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are the three main types. As stated in Keto Answers, we must consume omega-3 fats because they are a major contributor to cellular function. Omega-3 fats have an important part in maintaining our heart health, blood vessels, lungs, immune system/gut, and endocrine system. They help reduce inflammation and joint pain. Omega-3 fats also have a strong impact on the health of our brain (as the brain is 60 percent fat and half of that is the omega-3 fat DHA).

What are good sources of omega-3 fats?

As mentioned in my previous post, Which Fish are Okay to Buy, omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fish. You can get a high amount of omega-3 fats in the following fish:

  • Salmon
  • Herring 
  • Sardines
  • Trout 
  • Oysters 
  • Anchovies

You can also get a good amount of omega-3 fats from:

  • Flax seeds
  • Chia seeds
  • Walnuts 
  • Grass-fed/grass-finished beef

My omega-3 index and omega-6-to-omega-3 ratio

Last month, I decided to have my omega-3 index and my omega-6-to-omega-3 ratio checked by ordering the test from Life Extension. I was happy to find out that my omega-3 index is 9.56% (the optimal range being between 8% and 12%) and my omega-6-to-omega-3 ratio is 3.5:1 (the optimal range being under 4:1). There is still room for improvement, and this test is a nice way for me to see that I can add a little extra fish/krill oil to my daily regimen and consume more of the foods mentioned above.

Were you aware of the importance of omega-3 fats? What are your favorite omega-3-fat-rich foods?

References

Dinicolantonio, James, and Joseph Mercola. Super Fuel : Ketogenic Keys to Unlock the Secrets of Good Fats, Bad Fats, and Great Health. Carlsbad, California, Hay House Inc, 2018, pp. 170, 173.

Gundry, Steven R. The Plant Paradox Quick and Easy : The 30-Day Plan to Lose Weight, Feel Great, and Live Lectin-Free. New York, Ny, Harper Wave, An Imprint Of Harpercollinspublishers, 2019, p. 155.

Gustin, Anthony, and Chris Irvin. Keto Answers : Simplifying Everything You Need to Know about the World’s Most Confusing Diet. Middletown, De, Four Pillar Health, 2019, pp. 253–260.

You can also find me on Instagram.