Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man]—blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he. (Proverbs 29:18)
Protection of our eyes is something we often forget until we actually end up with damage. The very thought of losing eyesight is something none of us can wrap our heads around.
Often times we’re reminded to take precautions after the fact. While doing metal siding over the weekend, I was reminded to put on eye protection, only after getting hit in the face with a metal shard while cutting aluminum panels. Thankfully the eye was missed and I quickly got my eye protection on for the remainder of my work.
Protecting our vision goes much further than just putting on protection from foreign invaders. What’s going on internally is equally capable of impacting vision. Blood supply to the vital areas of your eye can be compromised by many factors.
Elevated blood sugar can dramatically impact your vision. With high blood glucose, we see vascular inflammation. This inflammation sets up damage to blood vessels resulting in a build-up of LDL cholesterol to stop the inflammation. When this happens, your body has to create new vessels to deliver nutrition to all the vital components of the eye.
This includes the macula where all the rods and cones, which detect light, are located. If we end up with more vessels to replace the clogged ones, it crowds out the receiving surface of the eye. This is what’s known as Macular Degeneration.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin are two of the most critical carotenoids related to the health of the eyes and in prevention and treatment of macular degeneration. These two carotenoids are the only carotenoids directly deposited in the eye. They help reduce oxidation which leads to macular degeneration, and have the macula as the primary site of deposit.
The macula is a tiny region of the retina responsible for central vision, which is specific for reading, driving, and close-up work.
Kale contains close to 22,000 mcg/100g of both lutein and zeaxanthin. Although kale is in the brassica family, it would be assumed that others in that family would have similar content of these nutrients. Not all in that group have the same potential when it comes to protecting eyesight.
Brussels sprouts contain less than 1,500, and broccoli less than 2,000. That doesn’t mean they’re useless in comparison when it comes to overall systemic health. All the brassica family have potential anti-carcinogenic properties. They support the liver’s phase two cytochrome p450 enzyme detoxification pathway, and should be considered an important part of any diet.
Besides the wonderful support for your eyes and vision, it helps with any bowel detoxification program as well. Another potential is that there is a degree of what has come to be known as the Wulzen Factor, also referred to as the anti stiffness factor. This should be important to anyone who is fighting the effects of aging and stiffness.
The infiltration of cholesterol into the microcirculation of the eyes due to inflammation can be addressed with the use of nutrition rich foods containing the nutrient Rutin. One of my favorite supports when it comes to that is a product called Cyruta. This is an extract of the juice of the buckwheat leaf and seed. It’s properties are beneficial in strengthening the capillary walls as well as metabolizing the cholesterol out of these capillaries, returning proper blood flow to the retina without obliterating the cells which provide sight.
Rutin is part of the vitamin C complex. Unfortunately the vitamin C supplements available to the public through your local health food stores, drug stores, and big box stores is primarily just ascorbic acid. This would be like buying a bunch of egg shells hoping to make an omelet. The ascorbic acid is not the functional part of vitamin C.
Vitamin C rich foods contain ascorbic acid, but in small amounts while the functional elements like the Rutin, Bioflavonoids, Oxygen sparing J factors, and Collagen building components are nutrients found in these living foods. Since there’s a greater need for the Rutin when vision is under attack, I find it necessary to make sure there is enough Rutin in the system. One of my favorite eye supports includes this extract from the buckwheat leaf and seed.
Of course, vitamin A is critical to vision. It’s important for the membranes of the eye and for production of Rhodopsin, a light sensitive protein for vision. The excess is stored in the liver. This is another reason to protect and nourish your liver.
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