Since your eyes are part of your body, nutrients that make your body healthier usually improve eye health as well. For example, if you use herbs such as hawthorn, olive leaf and grape seed to effectively lower your blood pressure, that helps preserve vision, because high blood pressure can cause microscopic ruptures to the capillaries that feed the retina. If you have blood sugar issues, and Hintonia latiflora or cinnamon reduce those levels closer to normal, it preserves vision, because high blood sugar levels cause diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of preventable blindness. If you feel you need an immune boost and use vitamin C on a daily, long-term basis, you dramatically reduce your risk of cataracts, even though that may not have been your intention. The same is true of omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin, green tea and other beneficial nutrients.
That is why it is difficult to pick just a few nutrients that protect or improve vision and eye health, because nearly all nutrients support your eye function, either directly or indirectly.
Our eyes encounter a great deal of stress, and the world of electronic screens is partly to blame. Excessive focus on screens can cause eye strain and dry eyes, and can even change the way that our eyes focus. Vision is an incredibly complex and delicate system that involves a multitude of factors, from the health of the eye itself to functionality of the visual cortex in the brain. Like all of the systems in the body, these areas are susceptible to circulatory challenges, inflammation and oxidative stress. Here are just a few standout nutrients for vision.
Grape Seed Extract
Grape seed extract contains powerful polyphenols called oligomeric proanthocyanins (OPCs). Scientific research published in the journal Molecular Vision found that grape seed OPCs protected human lens epithelial cells from free radical damage by reducing both of the inflammation markers NF-kB and MAPK. Reducing these two factors helps to prevent cataracts.
A study done in Asia that grape seed extract protects the nerve cells in the retina. Another in-vitro veterinary study found that these polyphenols played a role in reducing factors that can damage the lens, and also reduced oxidative stress damage that can lead to cataracts.
Unfortunately, grape seed OPCs are not always absorbable, as they come in all sizes. The smallest are absorbed and useful, while the largest, called tannins, are not absorbed at all. It is important to look for a tannin-free grapes seed extract, or one standardized to the smallest OPCs for 100 percent absorbability.
Mesoglycan
Mesoglycan is an extract, usually a porcine derivative, that is a complex of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Though much of the research in this important nutrient is on circulation and cardiovascular disease, it is also exceptionally good at strengthening the tiny capillaries (small blood vessels) that feed the retina. Type 2 diabetes is a major factor in ruptures of these small vessels, leading to a slow death of the retina (diabetic retinopathy). However, other health conditions can also cause retinopathy.
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study on 68 patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy, patients were randomly assigned to receive either placebo or 100 mg mesoglycan for six months. At the end of the study, researchers noted: “Our study shows a direct action of mesoglycan on endothelium retinal blood vessels and circulation, as we observed in patients we found a significant reduction in the number of microhemorrhages, microaneurysms and exudates . . . We conclude that our preliminary study showed an encouraging clinical efficacy, together with excellent tolerability, and therefore our objective has been met, which was to verify the existence of the prerequisites for a larger clinical study.”
While mesoglycan is well known in Europe, many people in the U.S. have not heard of this supplement. It is one of the most scientifically validated interventions for strengthening these small blood vessels to avoid further damage.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin
Many of you have heard of the best-known member of the carotenoid family, beta carotene (a precursor to vitamin A). However, there are two other carotenoids that are crucially important to the eyes as well: lutein and zeaxanthin. You often hear these two mentioned together as they are often found in the same food sources and work synergistically. Carotenoids are present in the eyes, and are important for the retina and macula. One observational study on women ages 50 to 79 found that diets rich in these nutrients helps to protect against age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The study suggested that the earlier in life these compounds are consumed, the better the long term results.
AMD is the leading cause of blindness for people age 60 and older.
In addition to its protective properties regarding AMD, lutein and zeaxanthin may also protect against overall vision loss. Zeaxanthin was found to prevent the death of certain important light-receiving cells (called photoreceptors) in the retina. Other research has shown that increasing lutein and zeaxanthin intake can sharpen focus and visual acuity.
Sea Buckthorn Oil
A major cause of vision issues is excessive eye dryness. Screens, air pollution, contact lenses, over the counter and prescription drug use, and harsh weather are some factors that contribute to eye strain, lack of moisture and irritation.
There are excellent studies on sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides) oil showing great efficacy for these issues. The most clinically studied raw material is called SBA24 sea buckthorn, which is a proprietary blend of seed and berry oil in a specific ratio. One important clinical study is on the autoimmune disease called Sjögren’s syndrome, which causes mucous membrane (including the eye) dryness. The results were a very significant reduction in symptoms, and improvement in membrane moisture.
Dry eye syndrome can cause damage to the cornea and interfere with focus and clarity. People with this syndrome either cannot produce enough tears to keep the eyes moist (called aqueous deficient dry eye) or eye moisture production is normal, but the tear film isn’t healthy enough to prevent the eyes from drying out (called evaporative dry eye).
In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study published in the Journal of Nutrition, one hundred men and women aged 20 to 75 who were experiencing dry eyes (and half of them used contact lenses) were given either SBA24 sea buckthorn or a placebo.
Three months later, the discomfort and redness were much lower in the sea buckthorn compared to the placebo group. In other similar studies, those using sea buckthorn had a much better fatty acid composition of their tear film than those in the placebo groups.
Conclusion
The best way to address vision problems is through prevention, with a healthy diet, reasonable alcohol use (as opposed to excessive), and avoidance of smoking. Air purifiers in homes in areas with a high level of particulate matter pollution would be useful as well. However, nutrients can help at any stage of vision loss, whether it is to slow the progression of the problem, or even foster healing and vision improvement. VR
References:
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Cheryl Myers is an integrative health nurse, author, and an expert on natural medicine. She is a nationally recognized speaker who has been interviewed by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Prevention magazine. Her many articles have been published in such diverse journals as Aesthetic Surgery Journal and Nutrition in Complementary Care, and her research on botanicals has been presented at the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the North American Menopause Society. Myers is the head of scientific affairs and education for EuroPharma, Inc.
