Cataracts and Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are the leading causes of acquired blindness in the US with more than 25 million adults over 40 impacted by one or both of these impairments. What if you could add some superfoods to your diet to reduce the risk of eye disease? It sounds easy, right? Well, it may be easier than you think.
Spinach and kale pack the biggest punch of antioxidants and carotenoids. Lutein found in green leafy vegetables along with zeaxanthin likely play a role in preventing cataracts and macular degeneration. Since the body cannot make lutein, it must be obtained from whole foods or supplements.
Here is a list of foods that are rich in lutein that you can add to your diet:
- Kale
- Spinach
- Collards
- Winter Squash
- Swiss chard
- Carrots
- Yellow Sweet Corn
- Peas
- Brussels sprouts
- Broccoli rabe
- Asparagus
- Sweet potatoes
- Arugula
- Pumpkin
- Egg Yolk
No food or vitamin can reverse damage done, but it can certainly prevent further progression of debilitating eye disease.
About the Author
Dr. Carrie Roitstein has over 25 years of experience in the Optometry industry. With offices in Hinsdale and Chicago’s Gold Coast, she combines her expertise of medical wellness with the use of the latest technology diagnosing and treating eye conditions. She is a graduate of the Illinois College of Optometry.
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