Natural Aids for Improving Your Vision

Most of us accept that as we get older there is an inevitable deterioration of vision, and nothing can be done to prevent or reverse problems such as macular degeneration and cataract. This is far from being the case.

Another cause of deterioration involves a problem called presbyopia. This is a long Latin word for the fact that as you get older you are more and more likely to need at least reading glasses. This is believed to be caused by gradual hardening of the lens in the eye, meaning that it gets harder for the lens to change shape, which is the normal way your eyes adjust to close vision.

Apart from this almost inevitable process, the three main eye problems are:

a)      Macular degeneration; in which the macula (the central, most sensitive part of the retina at the back of the eye) becomes damaged.

b)      Glaucoma; a build-up of pressure inside the eye caused by blockage of the fluid drainage outlets.

c)      Cataract; in which the proteins in the lens of the eye become damaged and thickened, partially or completely blocking light.

The main causes of all the problems, including presbyopia, are free radical damage and, particularly in the case of cataracts, a process called glycation, in which sugars chemically join to proteins and denature them. A general reduction in eye performance can also be caused by a deficiency of essential nutrients, particularly vitamin A, zinc and the amino acid L-taurine.

Free Radical Damage

Most people nowadays have heard of free radical damage, and are aware that antioxidants can prevent or at least greatly reduce this problem. For the eyes, the most important antioxidants are vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and a group of nutrients called carotenoids, particularly lutein and zeaxanthin. A group of plant chemicals called proanthocyanidins are the most powerful antioxidants of all, being many times stronger than vitamins C and E, and these are found in large amounts in various herbs, particularly eyebright, bilberry and ginkgo.

Ginkgo and bilberry increase micro-circulation of blood, particularly in the head and eyes, thus helping to carry the other nutrients to the eyes. Bilberry in particular contains proanthocyanidins that seem to almost specifically target the eye lens, thus reducing damage to it.

One of our supplying companies, Solgar, has managed to get all the above nutrients into one supplement. As far as we are aware, this is the most powerful eye supplement available.

Acetyl L-carnitine, better known for its benefits for heart and brain health, is now known to be of benefit in preventing glycation and therefore cataract.

Quite a combination?

It is therefore possible, with the right supplements, to slow down the gradual degeneration of eyesight with age, and slow down or prevent several problems which, if left unchecked, could severely damage your sight.

However, as always, if you know or at least suspect that you have any of these possibly serious problems, this programme of supplements is NOT a substitute for qualified medical attention.

To buy any of these products, click this link: www.NationalNutrition.co.uk