Zinc is an important ingredient in helping your eyes convert the beta-carotene mainly found in carrots and other vegetables into usable Vitamin A. Your eyes have the highest amount of zinc in your whole body and need zinc in order to function properly. Zinc has been shown to help protect against macular degeneration and night blindness. Foods such as: eggs, oysters, beans, grains and red meat are high in Zinc (Source: Heiting. 2017).

Copper that is found throughout the body is different than the one in a kitchen saucepan. Copper Gluconate is highly soluble in water, whereas the copper in your bathrooms pipes is obviously not. You will only find this water-soluble version of copper in your foods and supplements. Copper, as it turns out, is extremely important to the body. One of the main benefits of copper gluconate is that it works to boost the connectivity within the tissues of the eye. This means that copper works to keep the pigmentation (and the melanin) in the eye will stay vibrant for longer, keeping your eyes bright and beautiful. Even though your body only needs copper in trace amounts, deficiencies can cause vision loss. Early research has even suggested that because of copper’s ability to improve connectivity between eye tissues, it may be a contender in treating myopia naturally. Since your daily recommended intake of copper is so low, deficiencies are very rare. However, they can be caused by factors such as surgery, low vitamin B12 in the body, zinc toxicity or hereditary factors. Some symptoms of a copper deficiency are vision loss, fatigue, anemia, osteoporosis (and brittle bones), a weak immune system, pale skin and/or a constant low body temperature. On the opposite side of the spectrum we have copper toxicity. Copper is toxic in high amounts, so don’t add a copper supplement to your daily intake unless you have a deficiency (Source: Sorensen, 2020).

Lutein and its companion Zeaxanthin, are both found within the eye’s retina. They are yellow pigments that help protect our eyes, similar to sunglasses! Lutein and Zeaxanthin have been shown to lower your risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. In fact, people with low levels of lutein have been linked with greater incidences of age-induced macular degeneration. People with blue eyes have less natural pigments in their eyes and need more lutein and Zeaxanthin. To get in more of these nutrient, look to yellow, orange and red fruits and vegetables for help. For example, tomatoes, carrots and squash are all rich in Lutein. (Source: Sorensen, 2019).

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the membranes of cells throughout the body against damage caused by metabolic by-products called free radicals. Research suggests that Vitamin E may help reduce the worsening of age related macular degeneration (AMD) among people who show early signs of the eye disease. One symptom of a Vitamin E deficiency is impaired vision. Don’t ignore your greens like spinach, kale and collard greens. In a 2008 study that evaluated the dietary intake of more than 35,000 female health professionals, women whose diets (including supplements) had the highest levels of Lutein and vitamin E had a lower relative risk of cataracts than women whose diets were in the lowest 20 percent for levels of these nutrients (Source: Haddrill, 2018).

One of the most significant and researched ingredients in the natural products industry today is Hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is naturally produced in the body. It binds to water giving it a viscous, gel-like quality. This gel helps hydrate, lubricate and cushion movable parts of the body, such as joints, muscles and eyes. The interest in hyaluronic acid began with an ABC News Prime Time story first airing in 2000 about a small village in Japan. The older residents had the flexibility and health of their much younger counterparts. It was deemed due to their diet of root vegetables grown in their region which were high in hyaluronic acid (HA).“The people of this village not only enjoyed a longer life but a higher quality of life as well. They experienced less doctor visits and a low occurrence of cancer and other diseases like diabetes and Alzheimer’s. Their eyesight remained clear and their skin was supple and smooth. Since then, products containing HA have been credited with helping to restore joint flexibility, improving the appearance of skin through hydration and other regenerative effects of HA. ” Another benefit of HA is that it helps maintain the health and hydration of a person’s eyes. Hyaluronic acid is a leading component of the fluid inside the eye. A study conducted by the Contact Lens and Anterior Eye Research Group, Al Cardiff University’s School of Optometry and Vision Sciences in the United Kingdom, found that “HA is just as effective a Eye health products made with HA are a viable option for those experiencing the natural decline of this fluid with aging or eye problems. Supplements and products made with HA may help reduce eye problems associated with age and other eye diseases by helping provide the HA that eyes need in order to stay hydrated and healthy (Source: Kogan, Soltés et al. 2006).

Astaxanthin is a nutrient that strongly supports eye health. Like the eye, Astaxanthin is lipid-soluble; meaning it easily integrates into fat-laden tissues such as the eye. It is classified as a carotenoid, a group of fat-soluble pigments, which not only give red fruits and vegetables their brilliant color, but also play an important role in eye health. Astaxanthin is a particularly powerful carotenoid that can support the eye and the antioxidant defense systems that work to fight against damaging free radicals. “Astaxanthin is found naturally in many varieties of marine life including algae, plankton, krill and seafood.” (Source: Bandy, 2018). It is responsible for the red pigment naturally found in lobster, crab, shrimp and salmon. As society becomes increasingly technologically dependent, the subsequent damage to our eyes becomes unavoidable. Therefore, it is more important than ever to make sure that our eyes are well supported with powerful antioxidants such as Astaxanthin.

Several studies suggest omega-3 fatty acids may help protect adult eyes from macular degeneration and dry eye syndrome. Essential fatty acids also may help proper drainage of intra ocular fluid from the eye, decreasing the risk of high eye pressure and glaucoma. “In a large European study published in 2008, participants who ate oily fish (an excellent source of DHA and EPA omega-3 fatty acids) at least once per week had half the risk of developing neovascular (“wet”) macular degeneration, compared with those who ate fish less than once per week.” (Source: Heiting, 2017).

Vitamin C is a superpower antioxidant that has been linked to preventing cataracts by as much as 70 percent, according to one study. Vitamin C has also been shown to reduce macular degeneration and eye pressure issues in glaucoma sufferers. Although orange juice has a lot of this important nutrient, you can also find vitamin C in leafy green vegetables such as: kale, collard greens and Brussel sprouts.