59. SAVE THE EYES
Dear Grandma Donna: Because of our modern lifestyle, there seems to be more eye problems today. Many authorities say our eyes were not designed for the constant stress that computer use, television viewing, hand-held device use and close book work have brought. Instead looking at a distance of at least 20 feet away is more comforting to the eyes. Since our lifestyle is not apt to change, could anything be done to help our eyes like maybe eating carrots? Love, Savana
Dear Savana: You must be familiar with the command: “Eat your carrots–they will help your eyes!”
This saying seems to have originated in World War II when the British Air Force had phenomenal success in spotting enemy aircraft at night and bringing them down before they could reach the mainland. The military claimed the success was their pilots’ superb night vision which came from their diet of lots of carrots. In reality, the main power behind their success was the development of a radar that could spot planes at night. They wanted to keep the discovery of radar a secret. At the time the United Kingdom Minister of Food made the “Eat your carrots” message known to all their citizens.
Whether this saying to eat carrots for the eyes came from this happening or not, diet has much to do with the health of our eyes as well as our whole body. The website: yoursightmatters.com makes it clear that carrots will not restore vision loss but they contain nutrients beneficial for overall vision health.
Both vitamin A and betacarotene, which are prominent in carrots, are known to lower the risk of eye disease. One medium-sized carrot provides over 200 percent of the daily need for vitamin A, which is a nutrient essential for the formation of retinal. Deficiency in retinal can cause difficulty in vision.
The macula of the eye contains lutein and zeaxanthin, which are obtained from carrots, sweet corn and other yellow-orange fruit and vegetables, as well as dark green leafy vegetables. Poor dietary intake of carotenoids is thought to be the main cause of macular degeneration.
Carrots can also help in fighting inflammation of the eyelids, persistent inflammation or acute damage to the retina of the eye, and cataracts.
For good eyesight, it is important to eat a diet high in betacarotene, vitamin C and E, and sulfur-bearing amino acids. Foods containing these nutrients include garlic, onions, beans, spinach, celery, turnips, yellow and orange vegetables, green leafy vegetables, seaweed, apples, oranges and tomatoes.
Another good habit to establish to help the eyes is to drink at least eight to ten glasses of purified water daily. Avoid carbonated, caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, which dehydrate the eyes.
The third habit needed is to exercise at least 20 minutes daily, plus exercise the eyes. According to optometrist, Marc Grossman, eye exercises can strengthen eye muscles, help maintain flexible lenses and help maintain sharp vision with just 5-10 minutes each day.
He recommends that people who spend hours on a computer each day take a 2-3 minute break every hour for eye exercises. Stop work, take two deep breaths, then move your eyes up, down, left, right and onto your nose. Do this for a couple of minutes, then close your eyes and relax.
Another exercise is called palming: take two deep breaths, sit on a flat table, lean forward, placing your elbows on the table. Close your eye. Now place the palm of your left hand over your left eye and the palm of your right hand over your right eye with the palms directly over the eyes, but not touching them. Do this exercise for thee minutes as a way to relax eyes and calm down from the tensions of daily life.
In summary, to improve eyesight for anyone of any age, perform one of the two eye exercises at the end of every hour of close work, drink water and exercise daily. It is vitally important also to eat a diet high in the recommended vegetables. If we can believe the story the British tried to make their enemies believe, our eyes can become as good as radar if we EAT OUR CARROTS! Love, Grandma Donna
CARROT/QUINOA/GRAIN MEDLEY
1 T olive oil
2 c quinoa rinsed and drained
1 1/2 c carrots diced (about 3)
1 large onion diced
1 large red pepper diced
1 T garlic minced
1/2 c fresh parsley divided
2 c water
2 oz dry roasted pistachios
Toast quinoa in oil. Add carrots, onions, red pepper, garlic
and one tablespoon of parsley. Stir 3-4 minutes then add
water and cook 15 minutes until quinoa is tender and liquid
is absorbed. Let sit 5 minutes then fluff with a fork. Garnish
with pistachios and parsley.