Way to Maintain Healthy

Just as what you eat affects the workings of your body, so too does what you eat – or what you don’t eat – affect your eyes and your vision. As with all the other parts of our bodies, our eyes need a variety of vitamins and minerals to continue functioning normally.

What people don’t realize is that when they don’t eat properly and their eyes deteriorate or develop disorders, as a result, the effects are often long-term and incurable; impacting the person’s life and the way that they normally go about their daily routine.
Let’s look at some of the eye diseases that can be avoided with proper nutrition:

* Dry eyes: Although there are a number of factors which cause this condition, people with diets low in omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin A are more likely to develop dry eye disease. Individuals who suffer from diabetes, a condition often linked to nutritional factors, are also at an increased risk for the disease. Not drinking enough water is another factor which causes your eyes to dry up. Just like our bodies, our eyes also need the hydration.

* Age related macular degeneration: Studies have shown that certain diets help age related macular-degeneration along. These include:

1. A lack of Omega-3 fatty acids. Eating fish at least three times per week could reduce the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration.
2. Intake of too much dietary fat; specifically vegetable fats, mono saturated fats and polyunsaturated fats.
3. Having a high glycaemic index without being diabetic.
4. A lack of dietary antioxidants such as beta-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E
5. A lack of lutein and zeaxanthin (found in leafy green vegetables)

* Diabetic eye disease: Type 2 diabetes is usually caused by poor eating habits; therefore, many cases of diabetic eye disease also result, partially from not eating properly.

* Forms of blindness: There are various forms of blindness – some of which there is no cure from or prevention of; others which can be prevented. Night blindness is a condition linked to a lack of Vitamin A (found in spinach, carrots and other vegetables). Usually the highest risk level is for pregnant women and preschool aged children in developing countries. Preventable blindness is usually found in children from developing countries and is caused by a lack of vitamin A. Read the rest of this entry »

Healthy eyes are something we all want but how often and annoying are those bacterial eye infections most of us suffer with from time to time!

Most of these are transported to the eye because we touch them unwittingly by rubbing an itch. No matter how careful we are when it comes to washing our hands there will always be some bacteria waiting around desperately wanting to be spread!

People who wear contact lenses and young children who almost always have grubby hands and fingers appear to be more susceptible to these bacterial infections.

How can we keep our healthy eyes germ and bacteria free naturally? This may surprise you. Honey is the answer. Honey? You may think. How can honey possibly keep my eyes healthy and bacteria free!

Simple, honey (only a pure honey) is capable of eating away and destroying bacteria. Conjunctivitis and nasty things such as streptococci, haemophilus or the staphylococci bacteria lurk around just waiting for a chance to breed. Why let them breed in your eyes?

Uncomfortable and itchy, red and inflamed, tears falling down your cheeks and unable to see clearly are all symptoms these little horrors have found a great breeding ground.

None of these are a problem for honey because as soon as you drip a few drops into your eyes the glucose oxidase that honey contains stimulates a natural form of hydrogen peroxide capable of killing off those bacteria fast. And contrary to what most people think, honey does not sting your eyes.

Using a very clean and sterilized bowl of cooled freshly boiled water with a little sea salt, very clean fingers and a pad of cotton wool gently wipe the outside area of the infected eye with the salt solution. Immediately after this drip a little honey into the eye and rest with the infected eye closed.

Repeat this every four hours or so and in a few days the infected area will soon be back to the way it should be. Use this method as soon as you suspect a bacterial infection to stop it in its tracks.

By Janette_Marshall