Sparkling eyes and Bright vision

Bright sparkling eyes with a clear vision say so much for our youthful looks, besides being a big asset in leading an active life. Vision health benefits from good nutrition combined with regular exercise regime and in particular with eye exercises.

• Topping the list of necessary nutrients is vitamin A. A sure way of getting an adequate supply of this vitamin is by consuming enough fruits and vegetables containing beta-carotene, which gets converted into retinal, a form of vitamin A. A combination of retinal and a protein called opsin produces rhodopsin, a major pigment in the retina of the eye that contributes to good vision.

• To help vitamin A in its functions and also to keep the eye muscles working at their best, you need a good amount of proteins.

• Though vision is created when light enters your eyes, this same light produces some chemicals that could damage the eye. What protects our eyes from such damages is vitamin C.

• B-complex vitamins keep the skin around the eyes smooth and supple, so that there are no give-away signs of ageing, like crows feet.

• Vitamin E helps form new blood vessels and cuts down the risk of suffering from eye disorders.

• Among the minerals, iron plays an important role in the circulation of blood into the eye tissues. Zinc protects they eyes from infections.

• Selenium, an antioxidant, prevents the eye tissues from getting damaged.

That’s surely a lot of nutrients that our eyes need! Of course you don’t have to worry about where you will get all these nutrients if you just follow a balanced diet providing all the rich nutrients in correct proportions.

Feel-good fruit - KIWI

The small, fuzzy kiwifruit may pack a big punch when it comes to heart health. Eating kiwifruit everyday may help lower triglyceride levels. Reducing triglyceride levels and other blood fats helps to guard against the build-up of dangerous arterial plaques. The vitamin C, vitamin E, and polyphenol content of kiwifruit are the reason for its heart benefits.

A diet high in fruits and vegetables provides you with an array of anti-oxidants that can help your body combat cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and needless ageing. A new study reveals that kiwifruit – a small green fruit encased in a brown fuzzy skin – may help protect your blood vessels by lowering triglyceride levels and reducing platelet clumping. Platelets are blood components that assist with blood clotting. However, platelets those are too sticky aid in the formation of dangerous arterial plaques, which promotes cardiovascular disease.

Engaging in 30 minutes of physical activity every day, reducing stress, and limiting your intake of saturate and trans fats are other great ways to balance your blood fats and help maintain your arterial health.