FEED YOUR EYES

"Eye Health"

It may seem there is heavy concentration awareness on the heart, digestive tract, and brain health but do we take our eyes seriously?  When was the last time you had an eye exam?  Do you wait until your eyes gives you issues?  

Eyes are small organs that gives us vision.  Some may say, "The eyes are the windows to the soul."  An important organ that gives us a view of the world around us.  Almost everyone relies heavily on the eyes to guide him or her while others use their other senses to guide them.  A reason why we should never underestimate the importance of our eyes.

As we age our eyesight tends to decline naturally.  There are times when our eyesight fails us before we reach our aged process due to chronic illness, genetics, or force by nature, such as, accidents.  So, what do we know about "your eyes."

A baby eye is about 16 millimeters

• The eyeballs get bigger as you grow up (born 16 millimeters wide and by adult about 24 millimeters wide).   
• The eyes can have different colors because of the cells, melanocytes.  These are the same cells that are responsible of the color of our skin.
• The eyes have an inner layer, a middle layer, and outer layer.
• The cornea is the outermost layer of the eye.  It is responsible for focusing the light that comes into our eyes.
• The black circle in the center of the eye is known as the pupil. Its primary function is to monitor the amount of light that comes into the eye.
• The colored part of the eye is the iris.  Its function is to adjust the size of the pupil.  It has muscles to contract or expand depending on the amount of light the pupil needs to process a image.
• The white part of the eye is called sclera.  It provides strength, structure, and protection for the eye.  Sclera contains fibrils of collagen and limited blood supply. *This is the area where doctors can tell the state of your eye health.
• The retina is the inner layer of the eye made of nervous tissue located in the back of the eye that receives visual message from the front of the eye and transmits visual messages to the brain using electrical signals.
• The vitreous humour is a clear, jelly-like fluid that fills the inside of the eye. It is composed of approximately 98-99% water with trace amounts of hyaluronic acid, glucose, collagen, ions, cations, and anions.  *This is the area in the eye where floaters develop as pieces of the vitreous humour clump up together and cast shadows onto the retina.

Like other parts of your body, your eyes thrives on nutritious foods.  Research suggests eating a "healthy diet" can help prevent several severe eye problems.  Here are six foods that are excellent nutrients for the eyes:

1. Carrots.  The orange color in carrots have high beta-carotene.  *Sweet potatoes and winter squash are other examples of beta-carotene nutrients.
2. Kale.  It is loaded with two antioxidants:  zeaxanthin and luetin.  It is linked to lowering the risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration which destroys central vision.  *Spinach, mustard greens, and swiss chard are other examples of these nutrients.
3. Fish.  Salmon and sardines are rich in omega 3 fatty acids.  *Walnuts and chia seeds are other examples of this nutrients.
4. Citrus fruits.  The vitamin C in the fruits, such as, oranges and grapefruit, can help protect against cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.  *Cantaloupe, apricots, bell peppers, and strawberries are other examples of this nutrients.
5. Green teas.  It contains catechins that are the plant compounds that can help lower the risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
6. Legumes.  Peas, beans, and other legumes contain the mineral zinc.  It can help protect the eyes from the damaging effects of light.  *Peanuts are another example of this nutrients.

As we come to realize, the eye is the utmost importance to the human body.  The eye works together with the brain and nervous system.  Feeding your eyes with the proper foods will continue to give you optimal health.  Every year mark your calendars to have an eye exam.