Absorbing Lutein and Zeaxanthin
Absorption of lutein and zeaxanthin comes through food consumption, which is why nutrition is so important
It isn’t easy to eat healthy in New York City, but it’s not impossible either. Not even in the least bit. In fact, inexpensive, healthy and quick options are everywhere. Especially when it comes to green, leafy vegetables.
Now, I understand NYC is the land of pizza (thin sliced, folded), hot dogs (dirty water), Michelin stars (most in the United States, by far) and Italian restaurants (or restaurants of any ethnicity), but healthier options are always right around the corner (or even right next door). All you have to do is look.
If you’re in NYC and you don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on meals, check out the following salad joints for a quick, healthy fill up:
If you don’t live in New York, you probably have similar places in your city. And if you don’t like to eat out, check the healthy options at your local grocer (they’re in there, trust me) and get creative in the kitchen.
Just stick to the perimeter of the grocery store for fruits, vegetables and other healthy options. The processed foods are usually located in the middle isles.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin:
Speaking of salads, an abundance of lutein and zeaxanthin can be found in most green vegetables.
If you don’t know about lutein and zeaxanthin, they’re better known as two of the vital antioxidants of eye health. These carotenoids are found in the eyes and they function to break down the free radicals that threaten the macula.
However, the human body doesn’t produce lutein and zeaxanthin on its own. Production basically comes from food consumption, which is why it’s important to take our nutrition seriously.
Lutein and zeaxanthin assist the eyes with the following:
- Night vision
- Color vision
- Absorption of blue light
- Absorption of UV rays
Eye Healthy Foods:
I understand it isn’t always easy to force down a bunch of green vegetables. But that’s where creativity comes into play.
There are many ways to make a healthy salad and several ways to dress that salad up. One can also find several ways to make kale and collard greens taste good too (think kale chips or a green smoothie).
The following eye healthy foods contain lutein and zeaxanthin:
- Kale
- Spinach
- Egg Yolks
- Collard Greens
- Corn
- Peas
- Green Beans
- Broccoli
- Romaine Lettuce
If you’re looking for a good source of lutein and zeaxanthin outside of green vegetables: egg yolks, orange bell peppers, and papayas are also a good source.
Live in Your OcularPrime:
Eating healthy is obviously a lot easier said, than done. Moreover, once our body’s get used to certain nutritional habits, breaking the cycle can be tedious.
That said, it’s best to control the nutritional cycle as much as possible. Adding a few green vegetables to our diet (on a daily basis) is certainly a step in the right direction. Not only for eye health, but overall health as well.
