The Medical Advisor

You’ve probably heard that eating carrots are good for your eyes. You may have also noticed adverts for eye health dietary supplements. Can vitamins and minerals help your eyesight and eye health? Continue reading to discover more about eye health and vitamins. Having 20/20 vision has long been everybody's goal, but for many adults, it’s not a reality. In addition to imperfect vision, there are a host of other maladies that can occur as we grow older, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, dry eye disease, cataracts, and other eye health issues. Older adults, in particular, are at risk for AMD and may benefit from a supplement for eye health. Those who don’t consume a well-rounded diet rich in key nutrients for eye health may also benefit from supplementation, says Amy Shapiro , MS, RD.  There are some nutrients that are especially important when it comes to eye health: antioxidants, vitami...

Lutein and zeaxanthin are two important carotenoids, which are pigments produced by plants that give fruits and vegetables a yellow to reddish hue. They’re structurally very similar, with just a slight difference in the arrangement of their atoms ( Source ). Both are potent antioxidants and offer a range of health benefits. However, lutein and zeaxanthin are best known for protecting your eyes. This article discusses the benefits of lutein and zeaxanthin, as well as supplement dosages, safety and food sources. They’re Important Antioxidants Lutein and zeaxanthin are powerful antioxidants that defend your body against unstable molecules called free radicals. In excess, free radicals can damage your cells, contribute to aging and lead to the progression of diseases like heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease ( R ). Trusted Source Lutein and zeaxanthin protect your body’s proteins, fats and DNA from stressors and can even help recycle glu...