Nutrition may help keep eyes healthy

If you listen to Paul Harvey, you have heard this for years, but now we have further proof that nutrition plays an important role in eye health.

New Straits Times - Malaysia News Online:

"An interesting follow-up study on 36,000 male Health Professionals who ate broccoli more than twice a week had a 23 per cent lower risk of cataracts compared to men who consumed this sulphur-rich vegetable less than once a month. Apart from broccoli's content of lutein and zeaxanthin, scientists suggest that its sulphur compound which also has antioxidant property may play a role in protecting the eye from free radical damage. "

"Reported in the June 2004 issue of Archives of Opthamology, a study involving periodic data collection of food intake in 77,562 women and 40,866 men over an average period of 15 years shows that a diet high in fruits and vegetables decreases the risk of eye disease."

Nutrients required for eye health are vitamin A, beta carotene, C, E, anthocyanidins, lutein, zeaxanthin, and zinc. Fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are also important as DHA is naturally concentrated in the retina of the eye require for healthy retinal function."