Share This Story!

The Surprising Vision Statistic

Are Americans taking vision seriously? Spending hours in front of the screen puts your vision in danger. By 2050, half the planet will need glasses. Besides turning your devices off, there are other ways to protect your vision but few healthier and more effective than the foods we eat.

The essential vision protectors

To protect your peepers, all foods aren’t equal. Some foods have essential minerals and antioxidants proven to maintain eye health. For example, Omega-3, Vitamin A and C protect the cornea, the blood vessels, and vision in low light. Zinc strengthens the retina and protects against free radicals. There’s one more component you should look for.

Fill up on carotenoids

Carotenoids are the pigments in plants responsible for color. Foods with Lutein, zeaxanthin, and astaxanthin protect from cataracts and macular degeneration. Beta Carotene is another essential carotenoid. Beta Carotene creates retinol in the body. Retinol promotes anti-aging, skin and eye protection. Now, here are five foods with one or more of the carotenoids and minerals mentioned.

1. Get wild with salmon

Salmon is one of the healthiest foods around. With multiple health benefits
Wild salmon has Omega-3s, suggested as useful for eye health. Salmon also contains astaxanthin. There’s even Zinc which helps the metabolism of the eye and prevents damage.

2. Avocado toast anyone?

Avocado toast looks pretty on the plate but also is helpful for healthy eyes.  With 136 mcg of lutein and zeaxanthin, avocados contain one of the highest concentration of carotenoids. Sprinkle in a bit of Zinc and Vitamin A, and avocados are the ultimate eye protector.

3. Crazy for kale

Leafy greens contain all the carotenoids needed for eye health. Kale happens to be the best of the bunch. The dark green veggie contains over 23mg of lutein and zeaxanthin. Kale also provides more than enough Vitamin A and C. An amazing trifecta of benefits!

4. Bulk up on bell peppers

Surprisingly, bell peppers contain more Vitamin C than oranges. Additionally, the sweet veggies contain Beta-Carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Red, Yellow and orange peppers are the best to add to your plate.

5. Count on carrots

There’s always been a debate on carrots and eye health. Without a doubt, carrots can impact eye health. The Beta-Carotene in carrots is essential in protecting against Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Carrots also contain over 200% the daily recommended Vitamin A.

The votes are in! Your eyes matter.

Despite the value of the mentioned foods, adding whole foods to the average diet is challenging. Only 8% of Americans today get enough fruits and veggies. To protect vision long term, diet is the key. Seek fun and convenient ways to incorporate vision friendly food today.

Join our newsletter

Volutpat vel turpis nulla lorem sed semper. Aliquam sagittis sem libero viverra vehicula nullam ut nisl.

Share This Story!

What Does COPD Do To The Body?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects the lung’s airways, making breathing difficult. COPD leads to two other conditions: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Chronic bronchitis restricts the airways and causes excess mucus buildup. Emphysema is a disease that destroys the lung’s air sacs. People with COPD often have to deal with complications from either one of these diseases.

The importance of exercise

Activity is vital for people with COPD because a lack of physical activity can affect a person’s health and overall quality of life. COPD symptoms can even become worse. To start, COPD patients should enroll in pulmonary rehabilitation. This is a program with a team of doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, dietitians, physical therapists, and exercise specialists. These professionals help people with COPD learn special breathing techniques and exercises, and develop treatment plans to make life with COPD easier. Pulmonary rehabilitation begins with an assessment from a therapist to determine different things about the patient, like blood oxygen levels. Programs are conducted at hospitals, outpatient clinics, or the patient’s home.

Stretching for people with COPD

People with COPD will benefit from lots of stretching. Stretching helps with breath control and body flexibility. Patients should start stretching for at least 10-15 minutes every day. Experts also believe that stretching before and after exercise is good for the body. Stretching is something that can be done anywhere at any time of day. Try some stretching exercises to prepare for more intense activities.

Aerobic exercises

Aerobic exercises are great for people with COPD because these activities increase the amount of oxygen in the blood. Cardiovascular exercise also strengthens the heart muscle. Walking is an excellent form of aerobic exercise. Patients can do this for 15-20 minutes a day to get the blood flowing. Another great exercise is cycling. Patients can use a stationary bike or a regular bike. Swimming can also be beneficial. If an outdoor pool isn’t an option, patients can go to a local sports club and use those pool facilities. A good fitness regimen for those with COPD will incorporate aerobic exercises a few times a week.

Try some resistance training

Essentially, resistance training is weight lifting. However, people do not need to start with a heavy load. Lightweight dumbbells or exercise bands work just as well. Resistance training can be done multiple times throughout the week.

Taking the next step

Anyone interested in pulmonary rehabilitation, exercises, or more information about COPD should consult a doctor, physical therapist, or a respiratory therapist. These healthcare professionals are a wealth of knowledge and resources for leading a healthy life with COPD.