Basic Facts On Vision Vitamins

Basic Facts On Vision Vitamins

by Nita McKinney

Apart from improving eyesight, vision vitamins also play a very vital role in the prevention of certain eye diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts. Of all the nutrients that are known to have these benefits, vitamin A is undoubtedly the most published. It will be worth noting that there are many other nutritional elements that are equally as helpful. These include, for example, vitamin C and b6 and elements such as selenium, magnesium and zinc. Such nutrients will be found in great quantities in foods such as oranges, leafy vegetables and pumpkins.

We will explore the benefits of vitamin A in more detail since it is the nutrient of greatest significance. The vitamin is involved in the synthesis of a pigment of the retina known as rhodopsin. Rhodopsin is necessary for dim vision. The other important role that this pigment plays is that it helps to keep the cornea moist through the maintenance of the integrity of related membranes.

It is important to mention that vitamin A is made up of several components and is not one unit as is believed by many. The different components are made up of hydrocarbon molecules that are unsaturated. They include molecules such as carotenoids, retinol and retinal. Beta carotene is the most important carotene that has been identified yet. When retinal combines with a protein called opsin, the result is the molecule rhodopsin.

Lack of vitamin A causes many eye problems whose severity varies depending on the period of time one is affected and the extent of deficiency. Such a deficiency will be caused by inadequate amounts of vitamin A in the diet for a long time. This is called primary vitamin A deficiency. Its prevention entails frequent intake of carotenoid containing foods such as fruits, vegetables and dairy products.

Secondary deficiency is commonly the result of impaired absorption of lipids and decreased production and release of bile. The A vitamin is fat soluble and will therefore require that there are enough lipids for it to be adequately absorbed. Cigarette smoking and prolonged alcohol use are the other risk factors that have been identified as contributing to insufficiency of this vitamin.

Night blindness is one of the commonest and earliest symptoms of deficiency. One of the causes of reduced vision is drying of the conjunctiva which takes place as the condition progresses. The normal secretory system is progressively replaced with hardened keratinised tissue. As keratin plaques are eroded progressively, more keratinisation takes place.

The antioxidant properties of vitamin C help protect the eye from damage due to radiation. This nutrient also helps in maintaining normal pressure, collagen and capillary integrity. Vitamin B6 helps maintain the structure and function of red blood cells found within the retina. A trace element such as zinc plays a key role in ensuring good vision. It is responsible for converting beta carotene to vitamin A.

While it may not be possible to have all these <A href="http://visionaryvites.com">vision vitamins</A> in the diet at all times, it is wise to have them as many times as possible. The factors that determine intake include, among others, pregnancy, lactation, sex and age. It is important to take just enough in each serving to avoid toxicity.



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