The health of your eyes is critical to overall happiness and well being. When you consider that over 80% of the information that you take in from the world is through your eyes, the importance of their health cannot be overlooked. Your eyes can capture and interpret more than one-million pulse signals per millisecond and transmit to the brain. Your eyes are truly amazing organs. Your eyes, like other organs of your body, are subject to stress and injury and can lose their full potential if not properly taken care of. It’s important to maintain the health of your eyes even as you grow older. Healthy eyes are a critical component in learning and experiencing growth and development.
Leading a healthy lifestyle of exercise and proper nutrition can help keep your eyes functioning properly well into your later years. Most people don’t start thinking about eye health until they experience some change in their eyesight. Your eyes are like all other organs in your body, in that they change as you grow older. Keeping them healthy when you are in your 20’s and 30’s will prepare you well for when the transition of your eyes begins.
Lifestyle Recommendations
• Termination of cigarette/cigar habit is critical to the reduction in AMD risk. • Minimize exposure to UV/chemical contaminants to protect the eye from damaging fumes and oxidation that may incite the destructive processes of degeneration. • Wear 100 percent ultraviolet blocking sunglasses and a hat when outdoors in sunny weather. • Avoid radiation leakage from microwaves. • Maintain normal body fat (BMI < 30) and avoid obesity, a risk factor for cataracts. • Strive to exercise daily to improve circulation. • Address lifestyle strategies, exercise, diet and for correcting abnormal blood glucose, lipids, blood pressure, circulation, GGT (glutathione) and homocysteine levels. Also consider an oxidative stress panel and nutrient analysis.
Dietary Tips and Caveats
• Consume foods high in lutein and zeaxanthin such as spinach, kale, broccoli, turnip greens, and egg yolks. • In order to receive a broad spectrum of antioxidants, eating 5-9 servings of a variety of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables is strongly advised. • Emphasize omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, mackerel, herring, light tuna) and omega-9 fats (olive oil, olives, almonds, hazelnuts, avocados, macadamia oil and coconut oil). • Choose lean, clean quality protein at each meal such as chicken breast, turkey breast, lean beef, fish (especially salmon and tuna), eggs and whey protein. • Avoid fried foods, trans fats and smoked meats; cook with olive oil at low heat or coconut or avocado oil if using high heat. • Aim to get more zinc and copper in your diet. Good food sources of zinc include beef, pork, lamb, fish, chicken (especially dark meat), peanuts, peanut butter and beans. Good sources of copper include crab, lobster, shrimp, oysters, beans, nuts, and white potatoes – make sure animal protein sources are antibiotic and hormone-free, and preferably organic. • Drink at least 64 ounces of filtered or non-chlorinated water every day. • Substitute complex carbohydrates, such as brown rice and quinoa, for refined and simple carbohydrates. • Strive to keep blood sugar optimal and snack on healthy fats such as coconut, nuts, seeds, avocados.
Neurofeedback and Eye Health
80% of the brain is associated with vision in some manner. This means that healthy brain function needs healthy eye sight. The brain is the humans most vital organ allowing us to live such complex lives. Considering that your Optic Nerve connects your eyes & your brain, this means that a healthy co-dependent relationship is necessary. By keeping your eyes healthy you keep your brain healthy.
Chiropractic Care and Eye Health
Chiropractic care can be a crucial component in making sure your eyes are healthy. This is because your eyes rely on proper blood flow to receive the oxygen and nutrients necessary to function. The blood that goes to the eyes travels along the vertebral arteries, but when the five vertebrae that sit below the skull are out of alignment, they can constrict these arteries, which can prevent proper blood flow to the eyes.