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Vision is one of our most precious senses. Without it the world as we know it would be blank. One of the things that we can do daily to protect our eyes from harm is to be sure that each day we consume the recommended daily intake levels of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that we need in order to keep our eyes healthy. As with everything about our bodies proper nutrition plays an invaluable role in keeping our eyes functioning as well as possible. There are certain nutrients that are known to be especially associated with ocular health.

Among these are the antioxidant vitamins. The eye, especially the lens and the retina is particularly vulnerable to the effects of unchecked free radicals which are a byproduct of oxygen, cellular processes and environmental contaminants. Antioxidant vitamins help to combat free radicals. The primary antioxidant vitamins include Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E. in addition to their important action against free radicals they promote healthy cells and tissues in the eye. Lutein and Zeaxanthin are two more valuable antioxidants that recent research has found to be especially effective in maintaining the good health of the eyes.

In addition to the vitamins that promote ocular health there are several minerals that have been determined to play a significant role in the good health of the eye. Among these are zinc, selenium, manganese and copper. Zinc is an important mineral that serves to regulate sight, smell and taste and the concentration of zinc in the eye is actually higher than any other part of the body. One important function of zinc in relation to the eyes is its role in the regulation of the amount of Vitamin A which is essential to good eye health from the liver. People who have a deficiency in selenium have been clinically shown to be more likely to suffer from cataracts.

Recent research into the influence of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients upon the health of the eye has turned up a good deal of new information. This has led to the development of specialized dietary supplements designed specifically to promote ocular health. The early results of clinical trials concerning the disturbance and even reversal of macular degeneration and other age-related eye diseases via specialized nutritional treatments look very promising and research continues to prove it in a rapid pace..

Those seeking to benefit from dietary supplements designed to promote ocular health and healing should familiarize themselves with the most common vitamins and minerals in these supplements doing the research to find out what both would be the best and the safest levels of these nutrients are. Consulting an eye care professional and a licensed nutritionist can be very helpful in planning the best dietary supplement regimen suited to your individual dietary needs and health goals.

Making sure that you are achieving the recommended daily intake levels of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients is one of the best things that you can do for your overall health and well being. In terms of eye health, paying very close attention to your daily nutrition intake can actually make a real difference in the quality of your vision and help to keep your eyes healthy and functioning well for a very long time. When properly taken dietary supplements can be a valuable part of any ocular health focused program.