Taking an Eye Health Supplement
Obtaining vitamins and minerals from food is the best choice, but sometimes you might need an eye health supplement. Research is ongoing on the benefit of an eye health supplement, especially as an addition to diets which are not ideal, to help protect you from degenerative diseases such as cataracts or macular degeneration.
Your eye health supplement should contain most of the following elements:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B complex (includes Vitamin B1 [thiamine] Vitamin B2 [riboflavin], Vitamin B3 [niacin or nicotinamide], Vitamin B5 [pantothenic acid], Vitamin B6 [pyridoxine, pyridoxal or pyridoxamine], Vitamin B7 [biotin), Vitamin B9 [folic acid], Vitamin B12 [cyanocobalamin]
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Lutein
- Zeaxanthin
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Bioflavonoids
These vitamins for eyes are considered antioxidants, which help prevent damage to your body from free radicals. Free radicals are byproducts of your body’s oxygen use, and they cause chemical oxidation to your body. Antioxidants lock onto free radicals so damage is minimized.
When choosing an eye health supplement, remember
- Buying a multivitamin or a specially formulated eye health vitamin supplement may be less expensive than purchasing each vitamin or nutrient separately.
- Check the expiration date of the bottle. Be sure the expiration date hasn’t passed and is far enough in the future for you to finish the bottle.
- Look at the serving size. Some supplements require one tablet or capsule, others require several.
- Make sure the seal is intact on the bottle.
- Read the label for any ingredients you may be allergic to, such as dairy, wheat, corn or soy.