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Monday, July 29, 2013

By Dr. Daniel Quon


Antioxidant vitamins are increasingly being shown to be important in maintaining our health. This is especially true regarding the eyes. The new information is very interesting and can have a direct impact on our vision.

Antioxidant vitamins function by reducing the mobile damages that normally develops in the system as a result of anxiety and the launch of free radicals from air. Studies are revealing that these supplements could protect against, and in some cases address illness. For instance, an evaluation of diet surveys completed by 87,000 nurses discovered that the quantity of vitamin E obtained from food had virtually no impact on heart attack. However, the research showed a 40 % lower price of cardiovascular disease amongst registered nurses that took 400 International Units (IU) of vitamin daily as compared to those who took only 6 IU daily.

Of course, antioxidants are no substitute for a healthy lifestyle. To benefit the most from antioxidant therapy follow these lifestyle guidelines: Don't smoke, Protect your eyes from UV and short wavelength blue light, Exercise regularly (at least three times per week), Eat a low fat diet - especially fruits and vegetables (at least 5 servings daily), Avoid caffeine, Limit alcohol consumption, and Get a good night's rest.

Antioxidants most likely do really little for advanced illness. But particular eye illness can be decreased if you take anti-oxidants in the early stages. Studies are showing that the threat of cataract formation can be significantly lessened with vitamin C and E treatment.

One study showed a 70 % decrease in cataract danger when individuals took 500 mg a day of vitamin C. One more study showed a FIFTY % reduction in cataract threat in those that took 400 IU a day of supplement E. Additionally, people that took both supplements experienced a synergistic effect. They were virtually absolutely free of cataracts. Furthermore, a 14 year study showed a 40 % lesser fee of cataract surgery in individuals who had a diet plan rich in beta carotene, an anti-oxidant of supplement A. These researches indicate that cataract development seems associated with diet regimen as well as age.

Age related macular degeneration is a disease that causes the nerves in the central retina to degenerate. This results in the permanent loss of central vision and an inability to read and drive. There appears to be evidence, although not as conclusive as with cataracts, to show that antioxidants may slow or arrest this degeneration. A study of 356 men and women (ages 60 to 80) with age related macular degeneration (AMD) found that people who consumed the highest amount of beta carotene in their diet had a 43% lower risk of advanced macular disease than people taking the least amount of antioxidant. Other nutritional research suggests that luteins (pigmented lipids found in green, leafy vegetables) help protect the macula from damaging blue light.

In another study, AMD patients were given 100 mg of zinc twice a day and followed for two years. Patients taking zinc supplements had considerably less vision loss than patients who took a placebo. Note that the amount of zinc taken in this study was fairly high and therefore not recommended as a preventative measure because of possible toxicity. This data leads us to believe that supplements are worth taking especially if there is a strong family history of, or early evidence of macular degeneration.

So what are the suggested amounts of antioxidants? Based on what we understand the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA), a facility established long before the benefits of anti-oxidants were known, undervalues the quantities of antioxidant supplements required for a healthy way of life. Antioxidant nutritional supplements ought to consist of:

* Vitamin C (1000 mg/day)

* Vitamin E (400 IU/day)

* Beta Carotene (10,000 IU/day)

* Selenium (50 mg/day)

* Inositol (500 mg/day)

* Pantothene (900 mg/day)

Doctors Daniel Quon and the optometrists at South Coast Optometry, make it their goal to ensure that all staff members are completely up-to-date on the most cutting edge optometric technology and techniques, making your visit to the eye doctor as comfortable and effective as possible.




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