Vision vitamins are the nutritional elements that enhance eye sight. These include vitamin A, B6, C, selenium, trace elements such as magnesium and zinc among other nutrients. A variety of food containing vitamins include, among others oranges, carrots, pumpkin and leafy vegetables. Having enough of these food sources in the diet protects one from getting certain eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration.
Vitamin A is important for continuous eye health. It facilitates better vision by influencing the synthesis of the pigmented rhodopsin found in the retina. It promotes good night vision or helps one see better in dim light. In addition, it ensures the cornea is kept moist by maintaining the integrity of related membranes.
It should be understood that vitamin A is not a single unit. Rather, it is made of several non-saturated hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons include retinoic acid, retinol, retinal and other precursors known as carotenoids. Beta carotene is the most important of these carotenes. The retinal hydrocarbon reacts with a protein known as opsin to form rhodopsin. The resultant molecule helps in the achievement of scotopic (low light) and colour vision.
Deficiency of vitamin A results in a number of eye conditions that vary in severity depending on the extent of involvement. It often occurs when there is reduced intake of provitamin A carotenoid containing foods such as vegetables, dairy and animals products and fruits. This is the commonest scenario and is also referred to as primary vitamin A deficiency.
The secondary form of deficiency is as a result of malabsorption of lipids and deficient bile production and release. This is explained by the fact that the A vitamin is a fat soluble vitamin and therefore requires dissolution in fat in fat for it become functional in the body. As such, a low fat diet can predispose one to disease states related to deficiency of respective vitamins. Long term exposure to oxidants including cigarette smoke and alcohol intake can also lead to secondary insufficiency of vitamin A.
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 vision vitamins 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.
Vitamin A is important for continuous eye health. It facilitates better vision by influencing the synthesis of the pigmented rhodopsin found in the retina. It promotes good night vision or helps one see better in dim light. In addition, it ensures the cornea is kept moist by maintaining the integrity of related membranes.
It should be understood that vitamin A is not a single unit. Rather, it is made of several non-saturated hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons include retinoic acid, retinol, retinal and other precursors known as carotenoids. Beta carotene is the most important of these carotenes. The retinal hydrocarbon reacts with a protein known as opsin to form rhodopsin. The resultant molecule helps in the achievement of scotopic (low light) and colour vision.
Deficiency of vitamin A results in a number of eye conditions that vary in severity depending on the extent of involvement. It often occurs when there is reduced intake of provitamin A carotenoid containing foods such as vegetables, dairy and animals products and fruits. This is the commonest scenario and is also referred to as primary vitamin A deficiency.
The secondary form of deficiency is as a result of malabsorption of lipids and deficient bile production and release. This is explained by the fact that the A vitamin is a fat soluble vitamin and therefore requires dissolution in fat in fat for it become functional in the body. As such, a low fat diet can predispose one to disease states related to deficiency of respective vitamins. Long term exposure to oxidants including cigarette smoke and alcohol intake can also lead to secondary insufficiency of vitamin A.
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 vision vitamins 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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