What's New and Beneficial About Beets
In a recent study from Italy, beets were shown to be an especially important contributor of two carotenoids in the overall diet: lutein and zeaxanthin. Although much of the recent carotenoid research has focused on beta-carotene, both lutein and zeaxanthin are unique as health support molecules, particularly with respect to eye health and common age-related eye problems involving the macula and the retina. For eye health, beets may eventually turn out to require a category all their own. Traditionally, beet root juice has been use to improved eye health and fatigue for years.
ANTIOXIDANTS FOR EYE HEALTH
A landmark study published in the British medical journal BMC Ophthalmology, indicates that a combination of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent AMD-related vision loss. Participants in the study were taking a supplement called TOZAL Eye Health Formula that is rich in the vision-boosting nutrients. But packing your diet with antioxidant- and omega-3-rich foods (ground flax is vegan-friendly) can also help ward off eye-related disease, such as macular degeneration.
Beets are a unique source of phytonutrients called betalains. Betanin and vulgaxanthin are the two best-studied betalains from beets, and both have been shown to provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification support
EATING FOR VITAL VISION
In the new book The Essential Guide to Healthy Healing Foods (Alpha, July 2011), authors Victoria Shanta Retelny, RD, LDN, and Jovanka JoAnn Millivojevic promote dark leafy greens for vision health. Dark leafies are a nutrient-packed source of the eye-protecting antioxidants, more specifically caretenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin. “Like fairy dust, these caretenoids deposit in the macula of your eyes and give them color (pigment),” explain the authors. “Macular pigment helps fend off [age-related macular degeneration]; it helps harmful wavelengths of light, thus reducing free-radical damage in the central retina.
VEGAN FOODS FOR EYE HEALTH
According to Retelny and Milivojevic these are the best foods to ward off vision problems: Though these dark leafy greens are excellent sources of vision-boosting antioxidants, eat a wide variety of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables for your eye health. The more antioxidants you consume, the better chances you have of warding off major chronic illnesses, such as cancer and heart disease.
ANTIOXIDANTS FOR EYE HEALTH
A landmark study published in the British medical journal BMC Ophthalmology, indicates that a combination of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent AMD-related vision loss. Participants in the study were taking a supplement called TOZAL Eye Health Formula that is rich in the vision-boosting nutrients. But packing your diet with antioxidant- and omega-3-rich foods (ground flax is vegan-friendly) can also help ward off eye-related disease, such as macular degeneration.
Beets are a unique source of phytonutrients called betalains. Betanin and vulgaxanthin are the two best-studied betalains from beets, and both have been shown to provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification support
EATING FOR VITAL VISION
In the new book The Essential Guide to Healthy Healing Foods (Alpha, July 2011), authors Victoria Shanta Retelny, RD, LDN, and Jovanka JoAnn Millivojevic promote dark leafy greens for vision health. Dark leafies are a nutrient-packed source of the eye-protecting antioxidants, more specifically caretenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin. “Like fairy dust, these caretenoids deposit in the macula of your eyes and give them color (pigment),” explain the authors. “Macular pigment helps fend off [age-related macular degeneration]; it helps harmful wavelengths of light, thus reducing free-radical damage in the central retina.
VEGAN FOODS FOR EYE HEALTH
According to Retelny and Milivojevic these are the best foods to ward off vision problems: Though these dark leafy greens are excellent sources of vision-boosting antioxidants, eat a wide variety of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables for your eye health. The more antioxidants you consume, the better chances you have of warding off major chronic illnesses, such as cancer and heart disease.