Which Eye Health Supplements Should I Take?

There’s always controversy over whether supplements are good or bad for you. The problem lies in what you define as a supplement. At Rebuild Your Vision, we refer to natural eye health supplements that fulfill your body’s need for a specific nutrient. It’s about being healthy in a natural, non-synthetic, non-harmful way. Of course, it’s always preferable to get all your nutrients from your diet. Unfortunately, that isn’t possible for everyone. If you’re considering taking supplements for eye health, here’s what you need to know.

Reasons for Taking Eye Health Supplements

For many people, the supplement conversation tends to lean towards the discussion of steroids and performance enhancers. The purpose of natural supplements for eye health is not to enhance your performance in the gym or elsewhere. The goal is to ensure your eyes are getting the nutrients they need to function optimally. Taking an excessive number of supplements for eye health won’t give you super-human vision. However, taking the recommended dose can improve your vision and overall eye health.

One of the most common reasons for taking eye health supplements is lack of time. There are at least 17 crucial nutrients our eyes need to stay healthy. While they’re all accessible through food, we don’t all have time to ensure we eat a balanced diet every day. Many of us work full-time, go to school, are raising children, or do all three. Adding meal planning and daily cooking to your list of things to do isn’t realistic. Until you have the time to monitor your daily diet, consider taking supplements for eye health. It’ll ensure your eyes get what they need to stay healthy.

Another reason to take eye health supplements is to treat existing eye conditions. For many diseases and ailments, your diet is one of the culprits that allowed it to develop. By not getting enough nutrients, your body is exposed to sickness. Or, it may not be strong enough to fight off disease. You can start to heal and build your body’s strength by eating healthily. If the condition you have is in your eyes, like glaucoma, a healthy diet can help you manage symptoms. Eye health supplements allow you to do so conveniently.

Myths About Supplements for Eye Health

Before you decide which eye health supplements to take, you need to know the facts. Some are better for you than others. And, there’s lots of misinformation out there as well as myths. Here are some of the myths about supplements and the truth about them.

1. The FDA Approves Them All

This is far from the truth. In fact, the FDA doesn’t even have to approve a supplement before it hits the market. They only get involved when adverse side effects occur. That’s why it’s imperative that you research the supplement before trying it. Don’t take a supplement that doesn’t have years of research and testimonials to back it up. Many supplements get taken off the market by the FDA when they’re proven to cause harmful side effects. Never assume that just because it’s for sale means it’s safe to consume.

2. Everyone Needs Supplements

False. If you’re getting all the essential nutrients for eye health in your diet, you don’t also need to take supplements. Supplements are, as the name suggests, to supplement the spots in your diet that lack nutrients. Perhaps you don’t eat enough berries, dark chocolate, or greens. That means you might be low in antioxidants, which the cells in your eyes depend on. If adding those foods to your daily diet isn’t an option right now, a supplement can help. However, those who get all the necessary nutrients from their food won’t benefit. There are also people taking certain medications that don’t interact well with supplements. If you’re taking medication, check with your doctor before taking anything else.

3. You Can’t Overdose on Nutrients

You may not overdose in the sense of illicit drugs, but too much of anything can be harmful. Although the contents of natural supplements are good for you, overdosing on them is still something to avoid. For example, if you get too much vitamin A, you can damage your liver. Pregnant women who get too much vitamin A can cause birth defects in their babies. Then there’s vitamin C. If you take too much of it, this antioxidant becomes a pro-oxidant and damages your cells. You can certainly take too much of certain nutrients and cause damage. That’s why it’s important you understand if you actually need to be taking a supplement in the first place.

What to Look for in Eye Health Supplements

As discussed above, not all supplements are created equal. There are some key features to look out for when choosing a supplement. First, you want to avoid supplements that contain fillers. These are chemicals that companies add to increase the supplement’s shelf life. They also do this to reduce their manufacturing costs and make the actual vitamin look appealing. But they aren’t natural compounds that our bodies recognize and use. To avoid ingesting things you don’t need, choose supplements without fillers.

You also want to do lots of research on the company; check out their website and read reviews. What are people saying about their products? Have people experienced negative effects? Or, have they noticed an improvement in their health? Often, supplements aren’t the holy grail solution to your health problems. They’re a complementary treatment along with lifestyle changes, diet changes and advice from your doctor.

You are your health’s biggest advocate. Unless you’re a child, no one is going to look out for your health more than yourself. Be cautious and knowledgeable about what you put in your body. Also, know that a supplement could significantly improve your health. By finding the right natural eye health supplements, you could improve your vision. Your eyes’ cells could get stronger and be able to ward off illness. You could also avoid needing expensive surgeries later in life.  Nutrients are crucial to maintaining your vision. Do your research and find the right supplements for eye health for you.