Eyes are windows to the mind. Do you have a pair of bright eyes?
The link between diet and the development and progression of eye disease has been the subject of numerous studies. For example, a vitamin B1 deficiency① results in abnormal eye movements that could interfere with vision. A deficiency of vitamin B2 causes teary or bloodshot② eyes, blurred③ vision, and burning or itching of the eyes. Poor vision is also a symptom of vitamin B12 deficiency and is reversible when dietary intake improves. Finally, the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oils are suspected of being essential nutrient in the formation of healthy eye tissue. A strong and consistent association has recently been found between antioxidant④ status and the incidence and severity of cataracts. In some studies a vitamin-rich diet containing four or more servings daily of fresh fruits and vegetables was sufficient to reduce cataract⑤ risk. However, other studies show that supplemental doses of vitamin C (500 milligrams to 1,000 mg) and vitamin E (200 international units to 400 IU) might be necessary to provide maximum protection.
① deficiencyn. 不足,缺乏[(+of)]; 缺陷,缺点
② bloodshotadj. 充血的;血红的;紧张的
③ blurredadj. 模糊不清的;难辨别的
④ antioxidantn. 【化】抗氧化剂; (橡胶等的)硬化防止剂
⑤ cataractn. 【医】白内障
眼睛与视力
眼睛是心灵的窗户。你有一双清澈的眼睛吗?
饮食与眼部疾病发生、发展之间的关系已成为许多营养学研究的课题。例如,缺乏维生素B1可引起眼部运动紊乱,影响视力;缺乏维生素B2可导致眼睛多泪、充血,视力模糊和眼部发烧发痒。缺乏维生素B12也可使视力下降,在食物中提高摄入量后可改善这一症状。鱼油中的omega-3脂肪酸被怀疑是构造健康的眼部组织的基本元素。最近,人们发现在抗氧化物质的含量与白内障的发生及严重程度之间有着长期的紧密联系。一些研究表明在每日饮食中四次或更多地摄入富含维生素的新鲜水果、蔬菜足以降低白内障的发病可能。然而,其他研究表明,补充维生素C(500毫克~1,000毫克),维生素E(200~400国际单位)可能是为眼睛提供最好保护所必需的。