Contents
DIET FOR CATARACTS
EYES HEALTH AND NUTRITION
Nutrition for cataracts
The eye health depends a lot on food. A diet rich in natural foods can provide nutrients needed for good vision.
Vitamins for cataracts
The following vitamins are very well-known because of their antioxidant properties. They can cope with free radicals, a major cause of cataracts:
– Vitamin B for cataracts: It can be obtained from whole grains (wheat, oats, barley, etc.) Nuts (hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts) vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, radishes, endive, lettuce…) etc
– Vitamin A for cataracts: Vitamin A is necessary for night vision. Deficiency may even cause blindness.: Animal foods have the highest proportion, in the liver, egg yolk, in fish, especially oily fish, and butter.
For those who prefer a vegetal diet can choose from the following plant foods: carrots, purslane, Swiss chard, spinach, watercress, borage, basil, squash, tomatoes, coriander, asparagus, dandelion, peppers, watermelons, melons, sprouts, bananas, apples, plums, oranges, raspberries, currants, mangoes, beans, etc.
– Vitamin C for cataracts: In addition to its antioxidant properties, vitamin C is needed for the absorption of vitamin A and E. Its deficiency causes a weakness in the capillaries. This vitamin is also important for the proper absorption of iron, calcium or other amino acids.
Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, grapefruits, limes, tangerines, etc.) are very rich. Other plants that contain a lot of this vitamin are: cauliflower, radishes, brussels sprouts, spinach, bananas, apples, melons, watermelons, carrots, pineapples, pears, papayas, barley, garlic, blackberries, celery, peas, strawberries, raspberries, currants, blueberries, grapes, celery, figs, beans, chicory, cranberries, potatoes, avocados, soybeans, custard apples, mangoes, pomegranates, coconuts, etc.,
Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C
– Vitamin E for cataracts: Vitamin E protects cell membranes from oxidation by protecting fatty acids. A lack of this vitamin produces degenerative changes in the cells of some tissues. In this sense, vitamin E prevents the onset of cataracts by neutralizing the action of free radicals.
Plants that have this vitamin are vegetable fats: Wheat germ oil, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, sunflower oil, toasted almonds and olive oil. Other foods with vitamin E are mangoes and avocados.
Anthocyanidins for cataracts
The work of these flavonoids specifically focuses on the repair of retinal nerve cells. They also increase blood flow, which brings more nutrients to the eye for the protection of collagen and faster production of rhodopsin, a protein in the rods of the retina responsible for capturing the light. Among the most important ones we can consider lutein and zeaxanthin
Foods high in these anthocyanidins are blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, cherries, apples, plums, eggplant, purple cabbage, etc.
Bilberries are high in anthocyanidins
Essential fatty oils for cataracts
Essential fatty acids (Vitamin F or omega acids group) prevent macular degeneration and help in the formation of vitamin A from carotenes. They are linoleic acid (LA = omega 6) and alpha linolenic acid (= omega 3).
Apart from the blue fish (salmon, sardine, mackerel, tuna, etc) there are some vegetable food that can provide them. The first can be obtained primarily from soybean oil, sunflower, corn oil and wheat germ, vegetables, nuts and whole grains. The second is obtained primarily from linseed oil, rapeseed and soy, whole grains, vegetables, pumpkin seeds or nuts.
Essential fatty acids sources
Minerals for cataracts
– High- zinc containing food for cataracts: Zinc is necessary for good vision, since it helps the absorption of other components need for the eyes, such as vitamin A. milk derivatives, such as cheese or yogurt, are very rich in this mineral. We can also find it in red meats.
Among the main vegetable food we can distinguish celery, asparagus, borage, figs, potatoes, eggplant, etc.
– High – selenium containing food for cataracts: Selenium, as well as zinc, helps the absorption of other components need for the eyes, such as vitamin E. Seafood provides a great deal of selenium.
Among the plant foods we have rice, wheat, oats or their derivatives, such as bread or pasta. Other food rich in this mineral are: squash, barley, grapes, garlic, peaches, corn, soybean, pistachios, Brazil nuts, asparagus or spinach.
More information about cataracts and their natural treatment.
