Daily Health Tips: Trusted Medical Information, Health Tips and Advices

Parents ever tell you that eating carrots would save you from wearing glasses? Or that sitting too close to the TV could make you go blind? Their advice may sound rather mixed to you as an adult. But what exactly is  good or bad for your eyes? Read on to find out whether any of the offbeat stuff you've heard is truly legitimate or the stuff of urban eye-health legends. Myth:   Eating carrots will improve your vision. The truth:  No studies to date show that your eyesight will get sharper just by eating more carrots. Carrots do, however, contain vitamin A -- a nutrient your eyes need to function properly -- so a deficiency would be bad news for your eyes. Keep the rabbit food on the menu. Just don't bother with vitamin A supplements, because your body doesn't need a ton of the stuff, and getting more than you need of the supplement form can be harmful to your health.  Myth:   Working on a computer is bad for your eyes. The truth:  Computer eyestrain has l...

When was your last eye exam? It's possible your answer could affect your risk of Alzheimer's. In a new study, people with vision problems who failed to visit the eye doctor -- or who left their vision problems untreated -- were nine times more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. Time for a checkup? The Vision/Cognition Connection To be clear, researchers don't think vision problems are a direct cause of Alzheimer's disease. But untreated eye problems could keep people from engaging in the types of activities that are good for your brain -- like reading, playing games, and even walking and socializing.    Prioritize Your Eyes Regardless of the connection between untreated eye problems and cognitive decline, there are lots of other good reasons to see your eye-care specialist regularly. The most important? Sight-robbing eye conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy typically don't have any early warning signs. R...

Whether you've scheduled a routine eye exam or have a special appointment with an eye doctor because of new symptoms, you'll get more out of your visit if you come prepared. Step one: Think about the information you want to share, and write it down beforehand. Step two: Know what questions to ask. A good dialogue with your doctor is key to understanding your own risk factors for eye disease as well as to determining the best course of action to take. Not sure what to ask? We've prepared a printable list of questions to help you get the conversation going in the right direction. 15 Questions to Ask On Risk Factors Do I have any risk factors for eye disease (age, ethnicity, family history, etc.)? If I'm at risk for certain eye conditions, what can I do to lower or manage that risk? On Symptoms What's causing my vision changes or symptoms? Are my vision changes a normal part of aging, or could they be a sign of something more serious? Wil...

Someday you might have trouble reading this sentence if your diet doesn't have enough vitamin C in it. Researchers were surprised to discover recently that vitamin C seems to improve the function of cells in the retina. The Eyes Have It The retina is actually part of the central nervous system, so this recent discovery reinforces the theory that vitamin C provides a number of neurological health benefits. And vitamin C may be particularly good for eyes because our retinas appear to possess the same type of receptors are found in the brain -- receptors that help control rapid communication between neurons. The bad news is that these receptors stop functioning properly if vitamin C is not present in sufficient amounts. The good news is that vitamin C is readily available in a host of delicious fruits and vegetables.  C More Benefits So vitamin C is some pretty powerful stuff. More research is needed to fully understand its potential in helping preserve eyesight. ...

If you've already blown out 60 birthday candles, it's time to get extra serious about protecting your eyes from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) -- by hitting the salad bar. AMD is a progressive disease in the retina affecting people mostly over age 60. It gradually destroys sharp, central vision. But new research suggests that the nutrients you need to prevent it are all front and center at your local salad buffet. Eye on Nutrition AMD occurs in two forms: wet and dry. In the dry form, AMD may advance so slowly that people notice little change in their vision. In the wet form, the disease progresses faster and may lead to a loss of central vision in both eyes.  But newly published studies suggest that high dietary intakes of beta carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fats -- as well as vitamin D and zinc -- could reduce the risk of early AMD, especially in people with an inherited tendency toward the disease. So here are three eat-for-your-eyes sal...

1. Kale Cooked kale, spinach, collards, and turnip greens (along with broccoli and eggs) are crammed full of lutein and zeaxanthin -- two powerful antioxidants that may help protect against retinal damage and the onset of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.   2. Oranges Vitamin C-rich fruits and veggies -- like oranges, peaches, strawberries, tomatoes, and red bell peppers -- help support blood vessels in the eye and may reduce the risk of cataracts. 3. Peanuts Peanuts are a good source of vitamin E, a nutrient known for protecting eyes from free-radical damage. Vitamin E may also hinder the progression of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Almonds, sunflower seeds, and hazelnuts are other good sources of vitamin E. 4. Kidney Beans Your eyes do love a cup of red kidney beans straight out of the can. Why? Because they are a good source of zinc, a mineral that is vital to eye health. It helps get vitamin A from the liver t...

Study found omega-3 fatty acids linked to lower risk of age-related macular degeneration. MONDAY, March 14 (HealthDay News) -- Women who consume fish regularly -- and the abundance of omega-3 fatty acids found in that meal choice -- have a lower risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), new research suggests. This latest evidence of a protective link between fish oil and eye health mirrors past research that has found the same benefit. In this study, Harvard researchers performed a dietary analysis on more than 38,000 women. "Our observational data needs to be confirmed in randomized trials," cautioned study author William G. Christen, an associate professor with the division of preventive medicine in the department of medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston. "But already the message seems to be simple and strong," Christen added. "Fish oil, that is the omega-3 fat...