Cataract Diet
Cataract is a condition that affects most people as they grow older. In the United States alone, it is estimated that 90 percent of people are affected by this condition by the age of 85 years. Cataract occurs when the clear lens of the eye gradually becomes opaque. This reduces the amount of light that enters the eye and hence degrades vision. Although surgery can help to treat cataract successfully, if certain precautions are taken in the early stages of the condition, you can maintain your eyesight well into your golden years without undergoing any surgery.
Let us see how.
- Your diet alone can have a significant effect on the development of cataract in the eyes. This is because cataract is merely a symptom that your body is not functioning as optimally as it was once, and the best way to ensure kick start your body’s systems into functioning properly is to pay close attention to what you eat.
- The first step in a diet for cataract treatment or prevention is to cut down in the number of calories that you consume. When you are following a cataract diet, you should aim to gradually cut down on the number of calories that you consume by around 20 to 40 percent.
- The next step in a diet for cataract prevention is to reduce the amount of sugar that you consume. Bear in mind that just cutting down on the number of sugar cubes that you put in your cup of coffee may not help although it is a start). Most of the food items that we consume in our day to day lives contain sugar in some form or the other. It is important to identify and avoid the food items that contain excessive sugar.
- Water has rightfully been called the elixir of life and in order to successfully keep cataract at bay, you need to ensure that you consume sufficient quantities of water. Drinking at least eight to ten glasses of water every day is a must if you want a successful cataract diet.
Food for Cataract
There are also certain food items that you should consume and others that you should avoid as part of a cataract diet.
Antioxidants help to slow down the process of ageing and are one of the best cataract foods. Food items such as onions, garlic, celery, beans, seaweed, turnips carrots, tomatoes, apples, and oranges are rich sources of antioxidants and are some of the foods that prevent cataract. - Green tea is another excellent source of antioxidants and if you can replace your cup of coffee with green tea, you’ll be consuming one of the best cataract foods.
- Beta carotene and vitamins E and C are also important food cures for cataract. Opt for foods that are rich in these micronutrients such as pumpkins, carrots, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, nuts, spinach, salmon, mackerel, and olive oil.
- Cataract foods to avoid include those that contain high calories or excessive sugar content.
Cataract Eye Exercises
In addition to consuming the right kind of food, there are also numerous cataract eye exercises that can help to retard the spread of this condition. There have also been numerous reported cases where people have actually been able to improve their eyesight instead of merely delaying the progress of this disease by performing eye exercises for cataract. The most effective cataract eye exercises are those that make you focus on objects at different distances, thereby giving the eyes a complete workout. Yoga can also help in the treatment of cataract and should be considered as an alternate means of cataract eye care. The eyes are extremely sensitive and must therefore be looked after. Hence, any decision with regards to the same must be taken in consultation with your doctor.
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