Even as the science about several of these nutrients and their association with eye health is still out, several eye specialists have gauged the supposed gains and caveat signs of such widely promoted nutritional supplements.
Bilberry
Assertion:
Bilberry is capable of improving low-light vision and preventing macular degeneration.
Fact:
Pilot contingents at the forefront of the Second World War used to consume Bilberry-based jams to assist in improving their eyesight for night time flights. It is believed that it is an antioxidant which could enhance night time vision and avert macular degeneration.
Doctor Stout from the ‘Prevent Blindness America’ organization states that although several antioxidants might enhance eye health yet it does not translate to the fact that all antioxidant types are one-size-fitting-all strategy. The fact is that Bilberry could be helpful; however it is still unclear whether it does.
Selenium
Assertion:
Intake of a fifty mcg of selenium everyday could enhance eyesight.
Fact:
Doctor Chew, heading the AREDS study points out that selenium is another antioxidant type about which there is dearth of comprehensive studies conducted.
Chew states that nutrients for totally annulling eyesight loss have not yet been uncovered; hence one must be wary about supplement types which promise that they could shield from an eye condition.
Turmeric
Assertion:
Taking duo five hundred milligram strength turmeric capsules two times on a daily basis would shield a person from cataract formation.
Fact:
Even as several individuals have cited improved vision when they took turmeric-based supplements or following a dietetic intake rich in turmeric, the outcomes of turmeric on eye health is yet to be researched in the human populace, according to Doctor Stout. Though there might be advantages of consuming antioxidant types like turmeric, Stout warns that people must avoid supposing that supplements having antioxidants would be definitely showing results. Also, one should steer clear from the erroneous notion that simply because the nutrients are antioxidants means that they would be favourable for eye health.
Eye Health is not just about Nutritional Supplements
Antioxidants present in several nutritional supplement forms are present innately in our bodies and found in numerous food forms. Earlier studies have indicated that consuming leafy greens lowered risk of eyesight failure.
Food-based antioxidants are in far greater amounts as compared to individual supplement forms. Also our bodies are capable of easily processing antioxidants from food forms as compared to those from supplements.
However, Doctor Stout mentions that people who suffer from eyesight failure must not totally rely on a healthful dietetic intake since it is not possible to obtain the requisite nutrient levels only from a healthy dietetic intake.
Even as several firms have been widely promoting high-dosage antioxidants but it is fuzzy if intake of increasing antioxidant dosages is of any significant benefit. Also, the body is able to utilize a particular quantity of nutrient, pigment or vitamin and intake of overloaded nutrient levels does not necessarily assure that one could avert the condition or have improved vision.
On-Going Studies on Nutritional Supplements for Eye Health
A yellowish pigment present in the eyes known as Lutein is a supplement presently under research in the AREDS2 study which is a follow-up of the foremost study about antioxidant supplement forms.
Disparate to several nutrients, though present in the eyes, Lutein production in the body does not take place. It could solely be obtained via food-based nutrients and in supplement forms. Xeoxanthin, Omega-3s are the other supplement forms which are part of the AREDS2 study.
Study investigators surmise that such nutritional supplement forms would slacken the advancement of mild form of age-related macular degeneration. Such fatty acids present in the retinal region assist its components (rod, cone) to aid a person in seeing.
The researchers are hopeful that in case AMD which afflicts fourteen million individuals could be prevented that it would be a noteworthy step for assuring independence in senior citizens.
The scheduling of this study to conclude is by 2013 and till that time, those who use supplements need to be cautioned against false hopes that promoters employ for selling better eyesight.
