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Page 1: is a trademark of the Institute Of Longevity. Eyesight Naturally.pdf · The copy of the “Better Eyesight Naturally” e-book you have purchased is for your own personal use. The
Page 2: is a trademark of the Institute Of Longevity. Eyesight Naturally.pdf · The copy of the “Better Eyesight Naturally” e-book you have purchased is for your own personal use. The

Better Eyesight Naturally is a trademark of the Institute Of Longevity.

Copyright © 2014 Institute Of Longevity.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: No part of Better Eyesight Naturally may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any informational storage or retrieval system, without expressed, written and signed permission from the author (with the exception of brief quotations as used in reviews or discussion groups, with attribution to the author and source).

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DISCLAIMER

All contents, all educational materials referenced, and all other material mentioned or referred to in this book (including DVD/video programs, audio programs, websites and any additional written material) — collectively known as the “Better Eyesight Naturally” — are provided strictly for educational and informational purposes only. None of the

aforementioned information is intended to give medical advice, nor can it be construed as medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease process.

Steps discussed in this book or shown in any accompanying material may not apply or suit every reader or viewer as a result of biological individuality and genetic uniqueness along

with the variance of each individual’s personal circumstances and health status. All these and other factors must be taken into consideration under the appropriate medical supervision of

a physician with whom the reader has established a formal patient-doctor relationship.

Contents of this book and accompanying material must not, under any circumstances, be construed to have intended to replace, modify or effect in any manner whatsoever the

treatment prescribed by your own attending physician. Any implementation of any ideas, information or suggestions provided in this book or from accompanying or referenced

material must be undertaken only under direct advice, control and supervision of a competent, experienced, trained and licensed integrative physician (DO or MD).

By reading this book or using any contents from this book or any of the accompanying material, all readers thereby expressly agree and warrant that all actions taken pursuant to and results arising from the reading or use of any of this book’s contents or viewing

of associated videos or accompanying material are their own acts and they bear the sole responsibility and accept the full consequences of their own actions, holding the author

totally harmless and free of any liability. Furthermore, by reading this book, the reader agrees that the contents of this book and accompanying material do not provide advice, diagnosis,

treatment or cure for any disease process.

In addition, by reading this book or accompanying material, all readers also wholeheartedly agree to hold the author, publisher, copyright owner, distributor, talent or any other party directly or indirectly involved with the creation or dissemination of this material harmless

and not responsible for any direct or indirect consequences of actions taken pursuant to and results arising from the material (that is, the contents of this book and any of the

accompanying materials, including video, audio or any other additional reference material), whether that material was read, heard, viewed and/or used in any way.

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THIS E-BOOK IS PROTECTED UNDER FEDERAL COPYRIGHT LAW.

You Do NOT Have The Right To Reprint, Resell, Auction or Re-distribute the “Better Eyesight Naturally” e-book or any of its accompanying materials.

You May NOT give away, sell, share, or circulate the “Better Eyesight Naturally” e-book or any of its content in any form.

The copy of the “Better Eyesight Naturally” e-book you have purchased is for your own personal use. The e-book is fully printable and one printed copy may be made for your own personal

use. You are also welcome to copy the e-book to a CD-ROM, Zip disc or other storage media for backup for your own personal use.

If you have received a copy of the “Better Eyesight Naturally” e-book without purchasing it for its full retail price from one of the official “Better Eyesight Naturally” websites including www.growyoungerblood.com, then you have an illegal, pirated copy in violation of international

copyright law. Visit the official “Better Eyesight Naturally” website to purchase and register your own personal copy.

Registration entitles the purchaser to all future e-book updates, all bonus report updates, and lifetime subscription to the e-newsletter. Electronic books, also known as e-books, are protected

worldwide under international copyright and intellectual property law, the same as printed books, recorded material and other literary works. Under Copyright law, “Literary Work” includes “computer,” “computer program,” “software,” and all related materials sold online,

including electronic books (e-books), and Adobe Acrobat® PDF files.

Copyright infringement, trademark infringement and theft of intellectual property are serious crimes. Copyright infringement is a felony and civil fines for conviction of such infringement now begin at $150,000 per infringement. Criminal fines for infringement begin at $250,000 and may

also result in up to five years in prison.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

BETTER EYESIGHT NATURALLY! 6

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

What Causes Poor Vision? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

What Can You Do? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Common Eye Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Lifestyle and Your Eyesight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Good Nutrition for Healthy Eyes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Can I Get Results Faster? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Exercise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Sources: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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BETTER EYESIGHT NATURALLY!

Introduction

No matter how young or old we are, we all have different levels of eyesight. We’ve all known elderly people who could probably spot the eye on a gnat at a hundred yards, and of course we’ve all felt sorry for six-year-olds who start their first day of school wearing Coke-bottle glasses. Typically, though, as we age, our eyesight tends to deteriorate, and there are few people who reach their mid-40s who don’t notice at least some lessening in their quality of vision.

In this report, we’ll talk about what causes poor eyesight, and what we can do about it. The good news is, you can improve your vision at any age, and doing so doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to have to depend on heavy glasses! So let’s get started.

What Causes Poor Vision?

Generally speaking, aging is the cause of poor vision. Usually, this means a lessening of the ability to see well over distances, and deterioration in the ability to see detail. Sometimes it seems to happen suddenly – one day you think your eyesight is just fine, and the next you’re squinting trying to read the directions on a pill bottle. You wonder how this happened – everything seemed fine, and then you hit a “landmark” birthday when everything seemed to begin going downhill.

Of course, glasses can help, but why wear them if you don’t really need them. So many vision problems can be corrected if you just make some changes in your lifestyle. Of course, you need to be alert to problems that can become even worse over time if you don’t take measures to correct them. You might be surprised at some of the things that can harm your vision. For that matter, you might also be surprised at some of the things that can work to improve it, and might even make it possible for you to see better without the aid of glasses. Let’s talk about a few, things that can harm your eyesight, just generally, and later we’ll go into more detail about how lifestyle choices can affect your vision.

1. UV Exposure

We know better than to go out in the sun without applying sunscreen – after all, we know that the sun that’s up there today isn’t the same relatively friendly orb we remember from our childhood. The depletion of the ozone layer has resulted in more harmful UV rays getting through, and it’s not just your skin that can be harmed by them. UV light actually causes damage to your DNA, leading to damage deep within the cell structure. At a certain point, your body can no longer compensate for the damage and that’s when you begin to see the effects on your eyesight. UV rays can penetrate deep into the structure of the eye and

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damage the retina.

2. Smoking

If you’re a smoker and you’re in your 40s, you really should think about quitting before your vision becomes irreparably harmed. You already know that smoking is bad for your lungs, heart, and dental health, but did you know that it can also harm your eyes? Most people don’t realize that smoking increases your risk of developing cataracts and retinal problems that can lead to loss of vision. It can also make existing problems worse – many people, as they age, develop macular degeneration to one degree or another, and smoking can hasten the process. This is because smoking affects your circulation. The mere process of aging slows down your circulation, and when you add smoking to the equation, you’re preventing your vital organs – your eyes included – from getting the oxygen and the nutrients that they need. Healthy circulation is vital in preventing eye stress and disease, so quit now.

3. Technology

In many ways, we’re very fortunate to be living in an age when so many things can be accomplished so easily with the technology that’s available to us. We can do our banking online, so we no longer have to deal with lines. We can keep in touch with friends all over the world with just a few mouse clicks, and we can send messages instantly instead of having to wait for the post office to deliver letters. Many of us no longer have to venture out in bad weather to go to work. And we can play tons of fabulous games that don’t have to come in a box!

All of this comes with a price, though, and it’s not just the money you have to spend for all the latest gadgetry. Staring at a screen all day can exact a significant toll on your eyesight. This is because you’re so focused on one spot, over such a long period of time, that your eye muscles become fatigued.

4. Neglecting Your Overall Health

If you have high blood pressure or cholesterol, you’re increasing your risk of eye damage. If you’re diabetic, you’re running the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, which is damage to the blood vessels in your eyes.

What Can You Do?

First, make an appointment to have an eye exam. You want to be sure that you can identify any vision problems that may be developing, and take measures to correct them before they become worse. Never take your eyesight for granted. Often, you won’t know if you’re developing eye disease or other problems, but an ophthalmologist can tell you if this is the case. Detection is vital – it’s

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possible to develop severe vision loss because of disorders that could have been treated if they’d been diagnosed sooner.

If you smoke, quit – this really can’t be overemphasized. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes against UV rays. Try to limit your time spent on the computer, smart phone, or video games. If your job requires you to stare at a screen all day long, take regular breaks, and consider investing in a bottle of moisturizing eye drops. And look after your health – eat properly, watch your cholesterol, and maintain a healthy weight to guard against developing Type 2 diabetes.

In the sections that follow, we’ll discuss some of the more common eye problems, and then we’ll go into greater detail on ways that you can prevent vision loss.

Common Eye Problems

There are so many eye disorders that could be compromising your vision, it would be impossible to list and describe them all within the scope of this brief report. Accordingly, we’re just going to talk about five of the most common.

1. Loss of Visual Acuity

You go to the ophthalmologist because you feel you’re not seeing quite as well as you used to. Accordingly, you tell the ophthalmologist, “You know, I’m not seeing as well as I used to,” and he or she tells you, “You’re experiencing a loss of visual acuity.” If you don’t find the diagnosis overly helpful, that’s understandable, because essentially, you’ve just had your own words rephrased and tossed back to you – it means, quite simply, that your eyesight isn’t what it once was.

For most people, loss of visual acuity begins in the 40s, although it’s not unheard of in younger people. It can be due to some of the factors we’ve outlined above, or it could be something temporary. Either way, you’re going to need a vision test. It takes only minutes, and you’ll find out whether you need glasses to correct your vision, or whether simple eye exercises or lifestyle changes will be sufficient to treat the problem. If the condition isn’t corrected, you’re going to be constantly trying to compensate, perhaps by squinting, or closing one eye. This constant accommodation will cause eye fatigue, which is a problem in and of itself.

2. Myopia

Most of the time, a decline in vision is caused by myopia. This occurs when your eyeball is elongated. In a perfectly round eyeball, incoming light reaches the retina. With myopia, it stops in front of the retina.

Myopia isn’t age-related – it can happen at any point in your life. If you find that distant

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objects appear blurred, or that you’re constantly squinting when looking at things that are off in the distance, chances are you have myopia. This isn’t just an annoyance – it’s actually a safety issue, so even mild cases have to be treated. Studies show that people who have myopia are at a far greater risk for having (and causing) traffic accidents than people whose vision is not impaired in this way. For instance, myopic drivers tend to pass other vehicles in an unsafe fashion, simply because they can’t see what’s coming toward them until it’s too late.

Myopia can occur in children, and when it does, it’s up to an adult to notice. Kids don’t typically realize that their eyesight isn’t what it should be. Warning signs of myopia in children include:

• Frequent eye rubbing

• Crossed eyes

• Little reaction to light, or conversely, an excessive reaction

• Stumbling or tripping

• Frequent blinking or eye-widening

• Poor grades

• No interest in reading

• Looking past objects

• Unwillingness to play with other children

Even infants can show signs of myopia. If your baby doesn’t follow you with his eyes, doesn’t seem to notice when lights are switched on, or shows difficulty grasping objects, it’s time for a visit to a pediatric ophthalmologist.

Many eye conditions can be corrected naturally, simply by adopting a healthier lifestyle, and of course that’s the main focus of this report. It has to be stated, though, that because myopia is a defect in the structure of the eye, it can’t really be healed. It can, however, often be corrected through the use of prescription eyeglasses.

3. Presbyopia

This is something that affects most people by their mid-40s. It’s a type of far-sightedness in which the lens of the eye becomes progressively more rigid. It’s frequently accompanied by headaches and pain or burning in the eye, and you may find that you become fatigued from having to hold reading materials further away from your eyes in order to see the print.

Often, a simple pair of reading glasses can help. This type of disorder, though, also responds well to lifestyle change.

4.

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5. Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a slow destruction of the optic nerve. Usually it occurs in people over 40, and it’s caused by increased pressure within the eye resulting in poor drainage or circulation of the eye’s aqueous fluid. It can also be caused by poor circulation of blood to the optic nerve fibers, or by a weakness in the nerve structure. It results in the slow deterioration of vision, and there are very few early warning signs.

Glaucoma is often treated with eye drops or oral medication. In advanced cases, surgery may be needed. The good news is that a healthy lifestyle can go a long way to preventing glaucoma.

6. Macular Degeneration

AMD, or age-related macular degeneration, is a condition that leads to loss of central vision. It usually happens gradually, but can also be rapid. Your central vision is what allows you to see what is right in front of you. With AMD, your central vision becomes blurred, and you may have difficulty reading, have trouble recognizing faces, or find that colors don’t appear as bright as they once did. Usually both eyes are affected. Because AMD doesn’t affect your peripheral vision, it won’t cause complete blindness, but it does result in a marked deterioration in vision.

Fortunately, macular degeneration is preventable. Smoking is a primary cause of AMD, so again, it should be stressed that if you smoke, you should quit. Good nutrition is also a factor in preventing AMD.

Lifestyle and Your Eyesight

Now it’s time to talk in detail about how poor lifestyle choices can harm your eyesight. Consider this in the spirit of being forewarned and forearmed – please don’t think we’re nagging. In a bit, we’ll talk about measures that you can take to protect your vision by making healthy choices. Often people don’t realize the harm they’re doing to their eyesight by making poor choices, and all it takes is a bit of a heads up to change the behavior. So if you see yourself in any of this, know that it’s not too late. And if you have a loved one who could be harming his or her eyesight, why not work together to live better and see better, naturally?

1. Smoking

We’re probably beginning to sound like a bit of a broken record on the topic of smoking, but please, don’t feel as if you’re being nagged. The overall damage to your health is well known, but that’s not our issue here. Our concern is that if you smoke, you’re more than twice as likely to develop AMD than if you didn’t smoke. This is because tar and other harmful

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substances in cigarette smoke are deposited in your retinas, and because smoking adversely affects your circulation, meaning that your eyes don’t get all the nutrients they need to remain healthy.

2. Obesity

You know that being overweight can increase your risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart attack and stroke, but you probably never thought of it in connection with your eyesight. The problem is something called idiopathic intracranial hypertension, which is a type of increased blood pressure in the brain that occurs in people who are significantly overweight. Symptoms include poor peripheral vision, double vision, blind spots, and temporary loss of sight. In about 10% of sufferers, the loss of eyesight can be permanent. The good news is that losing even 5% of your body weight can result in a dramatic improvement in the condition, and if you avoid gaining weight in the first place, your risk of developing the condition is practically nonexistent.

3. Excessive Use of Alcohol

This is something else that people don’t typically think of as being harmful to their eyesight. The fact is, though, that just two drinks per day can significantly increase your risk of developing cataracts. There’s no need to avoid alcohol entirely – even the Bible advocates “a little wine for the stomach’s sake,” and now we know that it’s good for your heart, as well. For the sake of your eyes, though, don’t overdo it.

4. A Sedentary Lifestyle

If your idea of perfect happiness is a day spent curled up on the couch with a good book, or binge-watching your favorite TV series on Netflix, there’s nothing wrong with that from time to time. However, recent studies indicate that just five hours of exercise per week can improve retinal function. Certainly, regular exercise is good for your circulation, and that means increased blood flow and more effective delivery of nutrients to all your organs, your eyes included.

5. Poor Nutrition

You’ve heard the stories about eating carrots improving your eyesight? Well, it’s true to a certain extent. They’re rich in beta-carotene, which is an important nutrient, but it’s not all you need. We’ll talk more about nutrition a little later, but for now, suffice it to say that if you eat a balanced diet, making sure to include servings from all the food groups, you’ll be healthier in general. Failure to get the nutrients you need over the long term can impair your vision, and you can’t count on a multi-vitamin providing everything you need.

6. Poor Sexual Health

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Simply stated, if you’re going to be sexually active, use protection. STDs don’t just damage your reproductive organs, they can also affect your eyesight. You’ve probably heard that gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause pinkeye, but were you aware that herpes can also affect your eyes? It can cause conjunctivitis, damage your corneas, and permanently harm your vision. And once you have it, it can recur without warning. Eating a healthy diet can reduce your risk of outbreaks, but if you’re not already plagued by herpes, the best possible protection is to practice safe sex.

All right, enough gloom and doom. Let’s move on to discussing how you can safeguard your eyesight, and even improve it, by practicing a healthy lifestyle.

Good Nutrition for Healthy Eyes

You know that eating a healthy diet is important for your overall well-being, but you may not realize that it’s vital for good eyesight. The current research indicates that a diet rich in antioxidants and other important nutrients can protect your vision and even improve it. As an example, Vitamin C is believed to be effective in preventing glaucoma, and even in easing the symptoms if you already have it. Omega-3 fatty acids can ease dry eyes, and protect you against macular damage.

Now, let’s get specific. The following are some of the most important nutrients for healthy eyesight. They prevent eye damage, and can even reverse it in many cases.

1. Beta-carotene

Again with the carrots! Beta-carotene is also found in butternut squash, sweet potatoes, kale and spinach. When it’s combined with Vitamin C, Vitamin E and zinc, beta-carotene can retard the progression of macular degeneration.

2. Bioflavonoids

Bioflavonoids and flavonoids are found in red wine, tea, citrus fruits, cherries, blueberries, bilberries, legumes and soy products. They protect against macular degeneration and cataracts.

3. Lutein and Zeaxanthin

These nutrients are found in squash, collard greens, kale, spinach and turnip greens. They protect against macular degeneration and cataracts.

4. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

These healthy acids are found in fatty fish like mackerel, salmon and herring, as well as in walnuts and flax seeds. They protect against dry eyes and AMD.

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5. Selenium

Found in seafood, brown rice and Brazil nuts, selenium can help improve the symptoms of advanced AMD.

6. Vitamin A

Vitamin A is found in butter, milk, eggs, and chicken livers. It protects against dry eyes and improves night vision.

7. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is found in broccoli, kale, cantaloupe, oranges, and red and green peppers. It reduces your risk of developing macular degeneration and cataracts.

8. Vitamin D

Vitamin D is found in mackerel, salmon, sardines, fortified orange juice, and milk. It reduces the risk of macular degeneration.

9. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is found in sunflower seeds, hazelnuts and almonds. When combined with Vitamin C and carotenoids, it can improve the symptoms of advanced AMD.

10. Zinc

Zinc is found in turkey (dark meat only), Dungeness crab, oysters and beef. It works with Vitamin A to improve the symptoms of advanced AMD, and to improve night vision.

Generally speaking, it’s best to get your nutrients through a balanced, healthy diet. Include at least two portions of fish per week, and make sure to eat plenty of colorful vegetables and fruits. If you’re considering taking vitamin supplements to improve your eyesight, discuss it with your ophthalmologist or optometrist first – taking too much of some supplements can actually cause more problems than they correct. It’s virtually impossible to take in too much of any given nutrient through diet alone.

If My Eyesight Has Already Deteriorated, Can I Improve It?

You absolutely can! Research suggests that a healthy, balanced diet can not only improve your eyesight, it can actually reverse the signs of aging in your eyes. Even age-related macular degeneration can be helped by eating a diet rich in certain nutrients.

Macular degeneration occurs when the macular cells begin to fail, and it’s believed that this can be caused by free radicals – harmful chemicals that your body absorbs from the atmosphere, sunlight, and yes, that old demon, cigarette smoke.

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You can counter free radicals by consuming foods that are rich in antioxidants. So eat your greens! We’ve mentioned lutein – to go into a little more detail, the way lutein helps your eyes is by forming macular pigments. These filter out harmful light wavelengths – the more macular pigments you have, the less likely you are to develop AMD, and the more improvement you’ll see if you already have it.

You will need to consume lutein-rich foods for several months before you see improvement, but don’t give up. In about three months, you’ll begin to see improvement, and those benefits will increase as time progresses.

Can I Get Results Faster?

Maybe. There are certain “super foods” that are credited with offering dramatic improvement in your eye health.

1. Black Currants

Black currants contain very high levels of anthocyanins – flavonoids that are even more powerful than lutein or zeaxanthin when it comes to improving your eyesight. They also contain essential fatty acids, which are known to reduce inflammation. Black currants are frequently available in the produce section of your grocery store. You can also obtain black currant extract in capsule form at your health food store. And, if you like to garden, black currants will grow in virtually any type of soil, and require very little care. You can get up to ten pounds off just one bush, and you’ll save a lot of money, because they can be expensive in grocery stores.

2. Bilberries

The benefits of bilberries are essentially the same as those of black currants. They’re more difficult to grow, though, and are expensive to buy.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are both important nutrients for eye health, as both of them are found in high concentrations in your macula—the small central part of your retina responsible for detailed central vision. More specifically, lutein is also found in your macular pigment – known for helping to protect your central vision and aid in blue light absorption—and zeaxanthin is found in your retina.

3. Organic Egg Yolks

Egg yolks are incredibly rich in lutein. They’re very easily absorbed, and protect against macular degeneration. You have to consume them raw, though, because heating destroys the lutein, so mix them up in a smoothie or eggnog. The reason we recommend organic egg yolks is that with factory-farmed eggs, you run an increased risk of acquiring food-borne illnesses if you consume them raw. Eggs that come from organically-raised, free-range hens are considerably

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less likely to contain pathogens. Keep in mind, too, that lutein is an oil-soluble nutrient, so whatever concoction you make using your organic egg yolks, add a small amount of healthy fat – a few drops of olive oil will do the trick.

4. Wild Alaskan Salmon

If you don’t consume enough omega-3 fatty acids, none of the cells in your body are going to function as they should, and this is especially true of your eyes. However, you know that a problem with fish in this day and age is mercury – often, the levels are simply too high to make eating fish more than occasionally a good decision for your overall health.

Omega-3 fatty acids become concentrated in the retinas of your eyes, and provide support to cell membranes that protect the retinas. These acids can slow, and possibly even reverse, macular degeneration. Here’s what the research shows:

• Animal-based omega-3 fatty acids can reduce your risk of AMD by 60%.

• Higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids result in a 30% reduction in the likelihood of existing macular degeneration advancing to become AMD over a period of twelve years.

• Omega-3 fatty acids, combined with Vitamins C and E, lutein, zeaxanthin and zinc reduces the risk of macular degeneration.

So, it’s important to get your omega-3 fatty acids, but it’s also important to avoid consuming mercury. Wild Alaskan salmon is rich in omega-3, and very low in mercury. It’s also rich in astaxanthin, which is a powerful antioxidant that prevents blindness. It’s even more powerful than lutein and zeaxanthin, and in addition to preventing macular degeneration, it can also protect against other problems like cataracts and glaucoma.

So, now you know the foods that can help prevent eye disorders, and even improve your eyesight. We’d be remiss, though, if we didn’t tell you what foods you should avoid.

1. Trans Fats

Diets that are high in trans fats can contribute to macular degeneration. Trans fats are found in most processed foods, including pastries, potato chips, commercially packaged French fries, cookies and other baked goods. They’re also common in many brands of margarine, so your best protection is to become a good label-reader.

2. Aspartame

Aspartame is found in diet soft drinks and anything else that includes artificial sweeteners. The research isn’t conclusive, but it’s believed that aspartame can cause vision problems, so it’s probably best to err on the side of caution.

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3. Fructose

Fructose is a type of sugar that’s common in many food products. Consuming more than 74 grams per day (the equivalent of about two and a half sweetened drinks) increases your risk of developing high blood pressure, which can adversely affect your vision.

That’s essentially what you need to know when it comes to what to eat, and what to avoid, in order to protect and improve your eyesight. But don’t think you’re done just yet – there’s one more thing you need to do if you want to toss your eyeglasses, or avoid needing them in the first place.

Exercise

You hear it from everyone – your doctor, TV doctors, the guy at the gym, and probably even your mother. If you want to be healthy, you have to exercise. Of course that’s true. But according to the Royal College of Opthalmologists, exercise can also contribute to avoiding and improving a variety of eye conditions, particularly those that are related to aging.

With a healthy diet, and by avoiding smoking (sorry, here we go again), you can prevent and even correct many of the eye conditions that occur as a result of aging. When you add exercise into the mix, you can reduce the risk of vision loss and ease the complications of existing conditions.

As an example, as we age, our arteries begin to harden. It happens to everyone, to one degree or another. It’s influenced by the balance of different types of fats, like cholesterol in the bloodstream. Exercise influences the fat balance in positive ways, reducing cholesterol and enhancing the level of helpful fats that prevent the arteries from hardening and narrowing. This improves the blood supply to the eyes, and also to the areas of the brain that affect our eyesight. In this way, it preserves and improves your eyesight.

Another common problem with aging is high blood pressure. It’s linked to narrowing and hardening of the arteries, and it causes strain on the blood vessels Not only can this result in heart attacks and strokes, it can also cause blood to leak from the blood vessels in your eyes. It can even cause swelling of the optic nerves, and result in partial or complete loss of vision. The benefits of exercise in reducing blood pressure are well-known, so if you’ve been leading a sedentary lifestyle, it’s time to get active, not just for your overall health, but for the sake of your eyesight.

Another problem that’s common in people who aren’t active is diabetes – it goes hand in hand with obesity and poor diet. You’ve probably heard horror stories about people who have gone blind due to complications from diabetes – you hear them because they’re true. Diabetes occurs when the body can’t make enough insulin. The body’s small blood vessels, including those that supply the retinas, become blocked, and may begin to leak. This can cause scarring of the retina, which can lead to vision loss. Fortunately, regular exercise can prevent diabetes, and also help to control it if it’s

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already present.

Other disorders that can be helped by lowering the blood pressure with regular exercise are glaucoma and AMD. So, for the sake of your eyesight, get off the couch and get moving!

Best Exercises

If you’re not accustomed to exercising regularly, it can be difficult getting motivated. So choose exercises that are fun. Throw a Frisbee with your dog. Enroll in a Zumba class where you can meet new friends and improve your fitness level. Take up ballroom dancing – you won’t believe the workout you’ll get! Go for a bike ride – it really is true, you never forget how it’s done, so take in some scenery and get fit while you’re doing it.

Of course, one of the best exercises you can do is simply walking. It’s low-impact exercise that has incredible benefits to your overall health and your circulation, which is vital for good eyesight. If you’re not crazy about going out and walking in bad weather, get a treadmill. Or drive to the mall, and then walk up and down the length of the mall while you window-shop. You can probably think of a thousand and one excuses not to do something else – a gym is too expensive, your house is too small to accommodate a treadmill, you don’t want to bike in the rain – but you’ve got no excuse not to head to the mall.

If you’re tempted to blow off getting some exercise, think about how important your eyesight is – isn’t it worth spending half an hour or so each day to make sure you protect your eyesight into your old age, or to improve it right now?

Conclusion

You really can achieve better eyesight right now, and you can do it in most cases without needing to resort to eyeglasses. Better vision is very achievable, and it can be achieved naturally. It may mean letting go of old habits that really aren’t doing you any good, and doing the things that you know you ought to be doing for the sake of your overall health. This means that you’re going to have to adopt better strategies when it comes to nutrition, to start exercising, and to stop engaging in activities that will endanger your eyesight over the long term.

If you’ve been thinking generally of trying to become healthier, now you have one of the best possible reasons. If you want to be one of those old people we talked about in the introduction to this report – the ones who can spot the eye on a gnat at a hundred yards, then start now. You can improve your existing vision, and ensure healthy eyesight for many years to come, by taking to heart and acting on our plan for healthy vision. Repair, improve, and guarantee your eyesight so you’ll enjoy a good quality of life no matter what your age.