Promote Healthy Vision
Our Eyes are our Windows to the World . . .
. . . and are exposed to many harmful substances in our polluted
world. Exposure to UV light rays, free radical stress, pollution, dust and
debris, aging processes; all of these things can have an impact on this fragile
organ. It is also not unusual for the eye to age faster than the rest of the
body due to its unique structure and demands for oxygen. It is no wonder that so
many people are concerned about their eye health. Eye health is often associated
with your overall health. I am interested in providing you information not only
about your eyes, but about their connection to your mind and body. Nutrition
plays an important role in eye health, and your eyes may benefit from
concentrated nutrients and a healthier diet.
Able Eyes was
formulated by Ophthalmologist Robert Abel Jr., M.D. Able Eyes provides
both lutein and DHA in one easy to swallow soft gelatin capsule. In addition to
these important nutrients, Able Eyes supplies your eyes with other
vitamins, minerals and nutrients that help promote and support healthy eyes and
vision.
Q:
Can I get enough
nutrients from my diet to benefit my eye health?
A:
A balanced diet
rich in fresh fruits and vegetables is the best way to obtain a broad spectrum
of nutrients. But because I also live in the real world, I know that isn't
always possible. We skip meals, lead stressful lives, and eat on the run, none
of which is helpful to either digestion or the absorption of nutrients. It's
also very difficult to acquire from diet alone the quantities of specific
vitamins and nutrients shown to be beneficial to eye health. Therefore, in my
opinion, it's often necessary to supplement the diet with vitamins, minerals and
other nutritional substances in an intelligently designed program.
Q:
What is the best way to
support and protect my vision?
A:
A good way to
protect vision is to regularly wear sunglasses, even on cloudy days. A good way
to support vision is to supplement your diet with a good eye formula, such as
Able Eyes, which supplies substantial amounts of DHA and lutein and other
nutrients to promote eye health. Macular Pigment Density is associated with
healthy retinas. Able Eyes has both DHA and Lutein which together have been
found to increase macular pigment density greater than either of these nutrients
alone.
Q:
I wear contact lenses,
should I take Able Eyes™?
A:
People in high
school, of working age, using computers, exposed to the sun, who exercise, who
read a lot and are seniors . . . many of us can benefit from the eye-supporting
nutrients found in Able Eyes. This is true even if you wear glasses, contact
lenses or have had LASIK.
Q:
I have heard a lot about lutein lately. What is
lutein and why is it good for me?
A:
Lutein is an
essential member of the carotenoid family of nutrients derived from plants. It
is essential because the human body does not produce it and we must rely on our
food supply for it. The carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin are found in high
concentrations in and around the macula. It acts primarily in two ways: to
filter light to protect the eyes from the effects of the sun and as an
antioxidant to protect the eyes from the effects of free radicals and aging.
Lutein is the most abundant carotenoid in all ocular tissues. Most people think
that carrots with beta-carotene are most important to vision, but actually
lutein found in spinach is critical for the protection of macular function.
Perhaps “Popeye” knew better than “Bugs Bunny!”
Q:
Is there anything I can
do to improve my night vision?
A:
As we age, many
of us notice a change in night vision adaptation. Some researchers say we lose
10% of our rate of dark adaptation every decade. There are three key principles
behind my recommendations to support night vision. One is to strengthen cell
membranes, two is to improve circulation to the eye and, finally, three is to
protect the eye from damage caused by free radicals. I created Able Eyes with
these principles in mind. The five key supplements for night vision are DHA,
vitamin A, lutein, bilberry and zinc. All are included in Able Eyes, along with
other important vitamins, minerals and bioflavonoids critical for eye health and
nutrition.
Q:
How can I support the
health of my retina?
A:
The retina is the
layer that lines the inside of the eye. The macula, which resides in the center
of the retina, is responsible for our most detailed vision. To protect these
delicate instruments, you can follow my general suggestions I have listed above
to support overall eye health. In addition, because the macula is so responsive
to free-radical-fighting antioxidant nutrients, nutrition is a big key to
helping promote retinal health. Make sure that you eat plenty of lutein rich
vegetables such as spinach and kale, or take a lutein supplement daily at
mealtime. Also be sure to supply your body with the other nutrients you need
such as DHA from fish oils and bioflavonoids from citrus.
VITAL NUTRIENTS for our eyes.
Supplied by ABLE EYES
VITAMIN A:
is an essential nutrient for visual processes
including night vision. Vitamin A is also necessary for the maintenance and
health of the eye membranes, helps support normal eye moisture and serves as
an antioxidant. Good sources of Vitamin A are cod liver oil, eggs, butter,
milk and spinach.
VITAMIN C: is essential for the production of collagen,
which is a major component of eye tissue. Vitamin C helps maintain the
integrity of ocular blood vessels, helps protect the eye lens and helps
maintain eye tissues by preventing free radical damage. Vitamin C can be found
in fruits and vegetables such as oranges, grapefruits, strawberries, sweet red
peppers and broccoli.
VITAMIN E: is an
important antioxidant for the entire eye, especially the retina and lens.
Vitamin E may help protect the eye from the effects of UV light and also may
help decrease oxidative damage to the lens, retina and other eye tissue.
Vitamin E is widely distributed in vegetables and seeds, but is not found in
substantial amounts in any foods.
MAGNESIUM: This mineral
supports healthy blood flow to the eye. Magnesium helps maintain normal
internal eye pressures by relaxing blood vessels. Magnesium is important in
aiding the synthesis of glutathione peroxidase, a powerful antioxidant. Green,
leafy vegetables are rich in magnesium as well as 100% bran cereal, shredded
wheat and whole brown rice.
ZINC: is an important
mineral critical for retina health and found in high concentrations in the
eye. As we age, important zinc-dependent enzymes decline, so maintaining
optimal zinc levels may become even more important for eye health. Zinc may
protect eye membranes and the macula from oxidative damage. Zinc is necessary
for vitamin A utilization and important enzymes for eye function require zinc.
Zinc can be found in shellfish, beef, nuts and legumes.
SELENIUM: is a necessary
component of the antioxidant enzyme, glutathione peroxidase, which our cells
produce for protection from free radical damage. Selenium is found in higher
amounts in organ meats and seafood, followed by muscle meats.
CHROMIUM: Studies have
shown chromium to be important for maintaining eye health. Chromium helps
maintain healthy lens clarity. Chromium can be found in varying amounts in
foods such as processed meats, whole grain products, green beans and broccoli.
DHA: This highly
unsaturated omega-3 fatty acid is an important component of the rods and cones
of the retina, which enable vision. Maintaining healthy DHA (DocosaHexaenoic
acid) levels support normal visual acuity. Fish is an excellent source of DHA
and DHA can be found in substantial amounts in herring, mackerel, salmon,
sardines and whitefish.
LUTEIN: a pigment, is a vital component of our retina. It
helps protect the retina from the effects of UV light and free radicals.
Lutein can be found naturally in fruits and vegetables such as spinach,
broccoli, green beans, sweet potatoes, squash, red grapes, oranges, kiwi and
mangoes.
ZEAXANTHIN: a pigment, works closely with lutein to help
protect the macula area of the retina from the effects of UV light and free
radicals. Zeaxanthin may also help to maintain lens clarity. Yellow corn,
honeydew melon, squash, oranges, mango, kale, apricots, peaches and orange
bell peppers are dietary sources of zeaxanthin.
BILBERRY,QUERCETIN AND CITRUS BIOFLAVONOIDS: support
capillary strength and collagen within the eyes.
SILYMARIN: Silymarin,
derived from the herb milkthistle, supports liver health. It also has
antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Silymarin may also lessen the
depletion of glutathione, a natural antioxidant which our cells make and which
is especially important for eye health.
TAURINE: is found in high concentrations in the retina,
where it can help protect against the effects of UV light. Taurine protects
the lens from