Humans and the natural world are harmonious and unified. The various elements within the human body can be obtained from the natural world. When the body lacks certain nutrients, it can exhibit many symptoms, including decreased vision. So what should we eat to address vision decline?
Include protein in your diet
Protein is an essential nutrient for the body. Many children have a limited diet and young people may fast to lose weight, leading to severe protein deficiency. When the body lacks protein, it accelerates the aging of eye tissues, which can result in decreased functionality and vision decline. Therefore, the main method to alleviate vision decline caused by protein deficiency is to include more protein in the diet. High-protein foods include meat, eggs, dairy products, fish, and beans. It is recommended to consume at least 80 grams of protein per day.
Include foods rich in vitamin A
Long-term eye strain or vitamin A deficiency in the body can cause dry eyes, cloudy lenses, and in severe cases, corneal softening and even blindness. Vitamin A is a major component for synthesizing visual pigments on the retina, which improves dark adaptation and enhances visual acuity. Foods rich in vitamin A include carrots, nuts, fruits, and animal liver.
Supplement with trace elements
Trace elements are also essential for the eyes, with chromium, zinc, and selenium having the greatest impact. The lack of any of these elements can result in vision decline. Selenium improves vision, zinc is a major functional factor for the retina and choroid, and chromium is closely related to nearsightedness and vision decline. Supplementing with trace elements can effectively improve vision. Foods high in trace elements include:
Selenium: animal liver, eggs, fish, shellfish, soybeans, mushrooms, asparagus, carrots, etc.
Zinc: animal testes, prostate, liver, kidneys, as well as milk, fish, beans, and nuts.
Chromium: beef, brown rice, corn, millet, brown sugar, grape juice, mushrooms, etc.
Supplement with calcium
Calcium is the "protector" of eye tissues. A lack of calcium in the body not only reduces the elasticity of the retina but also increases the pressure in the lens, causing elongation of the anterior-posterior diameter of the eyeball. It can also lead to degenerative changes in the cornea and ciliary muscles, resulting in decreased vision or nearsightedness. Therefore, to prevent vision decline, it is important to include calcium and vitamin D-rich foods in daily meals (as vitamin D helps with calcium absorption). Foods such as dairy products, beans, mushrooms, dried fruits, and seafood are rich in calcium. Fish liver oil, animal liver, dairy products, and egg yolks are rich in vitamin D. Combining these two types of food can have a good effect on calcium supplementation.
Eat more hard foods
Vision is regulated by the activity of the choroid tissue, which functions similarly to a lens. Underdeveloped facial muscles can affect vision. With the trend of softening food, children's jawbones are becoming less developed. Due to the lack of proper exercise for their teeth, their teeth become misaligned and do not fit together properly. If chewing is not practiced in daily food habits, the strength of facial muscles gradually weakens, and the function of the lens cannot work properly. Therefore, encourage children to eat hard foods to strengthen their jawbones, which can help improve vision.
Dietary considerations for vision decline
1. Avoid consuming excessive sweets when experiencing vision decline. Excessive consumption of sweets can deplete vitamin B1 and alkaline substances in the body, worsening the symptoms of vision decline.
2. Determine the cause of vision decline by seeking medical examination at an ophthalmology clinic when experiencing significant vision decline. Blindly treating the symptoms is not recommended.
3. Regularly have vision checks and monitor changes in visual acuity.
4. Pay attention to eye hygiene and regularly perform eye exercises or lens exercises.
