| e last ten or so years, the link between healthy | | | | “Brazilian Ginseng” to many. Found |
| eyesight and discount vitamins has grown | | | | in South America, it has commonly been used as |
| tremendously. Many think eyesight begins and | | | | an immune system booster, but has recently |
| ends with whether glasses are needed for an | | | | been found to help with the eye condition |
| individual or not. What we miss paying attention to | | | | Amblyopia or “Lazy Eye.” |
| are the types of diseases, infections and other | | | | Amblyopia is the term for weak vision that even |
| eye health issues that can occur. Some of the | | | | when attempts are made to correct the vision, it |
| most common types of eye conditions are the | | | | is still weak. |
| ones we hear about constantly. | | | | * Vitamin B2 & B3 – These vitamins |
| * Glaucoma – Glaucoma is actually the | | | | are an antioxidant for the eyes and protect |
| name for a group of eye conditions. The optic | | | | glutathione in the eye. In studies conducted in the |
| nerve becomes damaged, usually due to too | | | | last few years, Cataracts have been linked to a |
| much eye pressure, or a weakness in the optic | | | | Vitamin B2 deficiency in the body. Vitamin B2 can |
| nerve. There are also different types of | | | | be commonly found in red meat or mushrooms, |
| glaucoma, such as Chronic Glaucoma, Secondary | | | | producing red blood cells. |
| Glaucoma, and Acute Glaucoma, with Chronic | | | | * Lutein & Zeaxanthin – The benefits |
| Glaucoma being the most common type. | | | | of these supplements were found back in 1994, |
| * Cataract(s) – A cataract occurs when | | | | and have since then proved to be one of the |
| there is a “clouding” on the lens of | | | | most helpful in eye disease prevention. In 1994, |
| an eye. Most people notice blurry vision and | | | | the National Eye Institute, also known as NEI, |
| changes in color vision, but some with early | | | | conducted a story that found that eating foods |
| cataracts many not notice any differences. This is | | | | that contain carotenoids actually help reduce the |
| one reason that a regular eye exam and | | | | risk of Macular Degeneration. In 1999, the National |
| preventatives such as discount vitamins and herbs | | | | Eye Institute conducted another similar study, |
| are so important. | | | | known as the Beaver Dam Study. It found a |
| * Macular Degeneration – Also known as | | | | lower risk of cataracts in people whose diet was |
| “Age-Related Macular | | | | higher in Lutein and Zeaxanthin. It wasn’t |
| Degeneration” or AMD, for short. This | | | | until 2001 that these supplements helped to |
| condition usually occurs later in life and while the | | | | reduce the risk of advanced macular degeneration. |
| exact causes are unclear, AMD has been | | | | Carotenoids can be found primarily in leafy, dark |
| associated to risk factors such as genetics, | | | | green vegetables such as spinach or collard |
| smoking, a lack of proper nutrition, and | | | | greens. |
| overexposure to sunlight. | | | | * Bilberry – Bilberry is closely related to |
| * All of these eye conditions, as well as the ones | | | | the blueberry family and can typically be found in |
| not well-known, prevention is key. Discount | | | | Ireland or Scotland. The fruit contains flavonoids, |
| vitamins can provide many of the nutrients that | | | | which protect the lens and the retina. Bilberry has |
| healthy eyesight require. | | | | been found to improve night vision and to reduce |
| * Beta Carotene – One of the most | | | | or reverse macular degeneration. Bilberries were |
| commonly known supplements available. Everyone | | | | used by pilots in World War II for the benefits to |
| has heard the saying, “Eat your carrots | | | | night vision and led to the discovery of its other |
| for good eyesight.” Carrots as well as | | | | medicinal benefits. The leaves of the bilberry are |
| cantaloupe contain beta carotene and are popular | | | | also useful and are usually found in certain teas. |
| to obtain that needed boost of Vitamin A. Vitamin | | | | * Vitamin E – Vitamin E is beneficial for |
| A is considered dangerous when digested | | | | both the eyes and the lungs. For the eyes, the |
| excessively, but the way in which it is converted | | | | supplement has shown that when taken regularly, |
| from beta carotene has shown to be safe. | | | | it can reduce the risk of cataracts, macular |
| * Vitamin C – Vitamin C is truly an all | | | | degeneration. The combination of both Vitamin E |
| around protector. The benefits of taking a vitamin | | | | and Beta Carotene has shown to reduce the risk |
| C supplement are never ending. It has been | | | | of eye disease even more. |
| known to reduce the chance of cataracts and | | | | * It is common knowledge that discount vitamins |
| many doctors and specialists use Vitamin C as | | | | as well as good nutrition can help in the |
| part of their cataract prevention programs. | | | | continuance of a healthy body and mind. Whether |
| Vitamin C has proved to be more beneficial to | | | | starting early in life or late in life, these vitamins |
| women’s eyes more than men’s. | | | | can help to reduce the risk of eye disease, and |
| * Ginkgo Biloba – Ginkgo Biloba has been | | | | for some help to treat it. A visit to the doctor is |
| found to help treat the early stages of Macular | | | | the first step in learning more and is especially |
| Degeneration and Glaucoma. While Ginkgo has | | | | important if other medications are being taken. |
| been used in China for hundreds of years, its uses | | | | Drug interactions can be dangerous and can be |
| have slowly come to light in the last several | | | | prevented by talking with your doctor before |
| years. | | | | taking any discount vitamins or herbs. Healthy |
| * Suma Extract – Also known as | | | | eyesight is possible with discount vitamins. |