Eyes are delicate sensory organs that rely on specific nutrients for healthy functioning, usually obtained through diet.

New research suggests that taking multiple dietary supplements together may significantly slow macular degeneration’s progression. MACULA 2 ESSENTIALS, designed specifically for eye health, has been approved as a daily multi vitamin by Health Canada.

1. Lutein

Lutein is an naturally-occurring carotenoid found in plants and is considered one of the best eye vitamins for macular degeneration. This antioxidant protects eyes against oxidative damage and has been demonstrated in various studies to either improve or even prevent age-related macular degeneration, possibly due to acting as both an efficient filter of high energy blue light as well as an antioxidant that quenches photo-induced reactive oxygen species.

Lutein and its stereo isomer zeaxanthin are found primarily in the macular region of the retina that controls central and high acuity vision, according to studies. Additionally, diets rich in these elements have been associated with lower risks of age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and dry eye syndrome.

Fat-soluble carotenoid compounds like this one may help with the formation of retinal pigment epithelium – an integral part of both lens and cornea – as well as help the eyes protect themselves against UV light damage. They can be found most abundantly in leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale; corn; egg yolks; oranges as well as darkly colored fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, red peppers, and berries.

Researchers also suggest that this nutrient may work with omega-3 fatty acids to protect retina from UV radiation and macular degeneration, so including foods rich in both lutein and zeaxanthin as well as omega-3s in your daily diet is advised.

2. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 Fatty Acids are essential polyunsaturated fatty acids found to play many essential roles in the body, including eye health. Key Omega-3 Fatty Acids include Docosahexaenic Acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA). DHA and EPA play an integral part in supporting retinal cells; consumption of more Omega-3 Fatty Acids has been shown to lower risks associated with age related macular degeneration, improving cognitive functions like memory retention as well as anti-inflammatory properties that reduce depression symptoms or severity associated with rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.

Vitamin A is another essential nutrient for eye health, providing support to corneas and helping your body produce pigments necessary for low-light vision. A vitamin A deficiency may lead to night blindness.

Make sure that the macular degeneration supplement contains the correct ratio of lutein to zeaxanthin (5 parts lutein:1 part zeaxanthin). Studies from AREDS 1 and 2 have revealed that this combination helps slow the progression of AMD while improving vision in those already suffering early stage dry macular degeneration. FloraGLO(r) lutein has proven five times more bioavailable than cheaper forms; additionally look for one molecularly distilled to remove mercury, lead and other contaminate from its composition.

3. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is one of the key eye vitamins for macular degeneration, acting as a water-soluble antioxidant to promote tissue repair, immune defense and absorption of iron. Studies have revealed that eating more fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin C and E reduces cataract risk while slowing its progression over time1.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an irreversible condition that gradually destroys central vision. Affecting 13 million Americans over 60, AMD is the leading cause of blindness among this age group and usually begins in one eye first, rendering straight lines wavy or crooked and making reading, driving and seeing faces increasingly challenging; distinguishing colors becomes harder to do and fine details become obscured by AMD.

The AREDS study demonstrated that moderate doses of older formulations of Vitamin C, E, beta-carotene and zinc had a 25% reduction in macular degeneration rates. You can get these nutrients through foods like spinach, kale, strawberries, oranges, sweet peppers and broccoli or take a multivitamin supplement that contains them. Zinc and copper are essential elements to eye health as well, although they can be harder to find naturally; try looking in meat, shellfish, dark leafy greens nuts seeds legumes or egg yolks as sources.

4. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an essential nutrient found in many food sources and considered one of the body’s most potent antioxidants. Studies have revealed its ability to lower risk for cataracts and age-related macular degeneration while acting as an all-natural lubricant for eyes thereby helping prevent dry eye syndrome.

Studies conducted over the last several years have demonstrated that taking nutritional supplements containing lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc, copper and vitamins C and E in combination can significantly slow the progression of macular degeneration. Studies indicate that such nutrients taken as part of multivitamin supplements may decrease central vision loss by 25-70% over time.

AREDS (Age-Related Eye Disease Study) research group discovered that supplementation containing lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamins C and E, beta carotene and minerals like zinc and copper could effectively slow macular degeneration progression among those at high risk. For this trial’s AREDS2 phase they have added omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA into this formula as an investigational step.

Foods rich in Vitamin E include walnuts, peanuts, almonds, sunflower seeds and chia seeds. You’ll also find it in leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale and broccoli; egg yolks; and oily fish like salmon, mackerel and sardines. Zinc is another essential trace mineral that is plentifully found in seafood such as oysters and lobster, red meat poultry and dairy as well as zinc supplements that should only be taken after consulting your healthcare provider first.

5. Bioflavonoids

Antioxidants, vitamins and minerals can provide your eyes with essential protection from sight-robbing conditions and diseases. These nutrients can be found in many different food products and have been shown to lower risk factors associated with eye damage from free radicals that cause macular degeneration and cataracts. Eating at least the Recommended Dietary Allowance of these essential vitamins is an excellent way to keep them healthy.

Lutein is an essential antioxidant in the eye that acts as a natural light filter to block harmful blue wavelengths of light from reaching the retina. Zeaxanthin (pronounced zoe-zan-thin), closely related to lutein, helps block high energy short wavelength light that could potentially harm vision.

Studies, such as AREDS or Age-Related Macular Degeneration Study, have demonstrated that taking certain supplements may slow macular degeneration progression as well as other eye health concerns like dry eye syndrome. Such supplements include beta-carotene, vitamin C and zinc.

When selecting eye vitamins, be sure to select one that follows AREDS recommendations and meets FloraGLO lutein specifications with FloraGLO lutein as FloraGLO is known to support eye health. MacuHealthPLUS+ is an outstanding dietary ocular supplement which meets these criteria and uses Micro-Micelle technology for increased carotenoid bioavailability that yields statistically significant increases in antioxidant levels, reaching macular pigmentation sites faster and more effectively.

6. Selenium

Selenium is an essential micro nutrient, serving as a cofactor in several enzymes and as an antioxidant to defend the body against free radical damage to cells and proteins. Additionally, selenium plays an integral part of immune system function and sperm formation processes. A lack of selenium may result in symptoms including thin hair, baldness, fatigue and poor immunity response as well as nail and hair brittleness, garlic breath smell in breath as well as weakness and irritability resulting from severe deficiencies. A deficiency may result in health issues including thinned out hair; thinned out scalp; fatigued immune response systems as well as an impaired immune response which in turn affects fertility processes as sperm production.

Selenium can be found in foods like fish, meat, whole grains and nuts; or as a supplement. A diet rich in antioxidants such as lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin C acts as protective agents against age related macular degeneration as they act as powerful protection for central vision required for reading, driving and recognising facial features.

Vitamins C, beta-carotene and E are excellent nutrients for eye health. These antioxidants may lower your risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration by neutralizing free radicals that damage retinal tissue – produced through unhealthy eating habits such as fast food consumption, air pollution and tobacco smoke production. Vitamin C can be obtained through numerous fruits and vegetables like oranges, grapefruit, strawberries and tomatoes.