How certain nutrients affect your body
The effects of proper nutrition on
the body are profound. When
paired with routine exercise, a
diet that’s rich in nutrients can lay the
foundation for a long, healthy life.
Many people are aware that their
bodies need nutrients like protein
and carbohydrates every day, but they
may not know just what these and
other important nutrients do for their
bodies:
Proteins
The online medical resource
WebMD notes that the body uses protein
to build and repair tissues. An important
component of every cell in the
body, protein provides the body with
amino acids that help cells in the body
perform various functions. Breastcancer.
org notes that proteins help the
body create hormones and enzymes
and keep the immune system healthy.
A diet that’s low in protein may make
people more susceptible to illness and
result in longer recovery times.
Carbohydrates
The Cleveland Clinic notes that
carbohydrates, or “carbs,” are the
body’s main source of energy. Carbs
are found in most foods, but not all
carbs are the same. Foods that contain
ADVERTORIAL
Health
BRIGHTON EYE
NUTRITION
AND YOUR EYES Millie R. Fell, MD, FACS
In the last twenty years eye health research has
linked diet and nutrition with a decreased incidence
of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). AMD
is a leading cause of blindness in the US and around
the world. Now, there is hope and help for this condition.
Knowing the symptoms and risks of this disease
can help patients to get timely help and prevent
vision loss. It is also the only condition that research
has proven that taking vitamins and antioxidants can
prevent progression of the disease. Adding certain
nutrients to your diet helps decrease the progression
of macular degeneration. Lutein and Zeaxanthin are
important nutrients found in green leafy vegetables.
Other important nutrients to eye health are Vitamin
C, E, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids.
Eating a healthy diet helps your eyes, your brain
and your general health.
It is said that “you are what you eat”. Many of my
patients, in an attempt to control their health, come
into the offi ce with a bag full of vitamins and nutrients.
Where to begin? Do vitamins and other nutrients
help stave off eye disease? Is there something
to the adage, “too much of a good thing”?
What vitamins and nutrients delivered through
food and supplements aid in the health of your
eyes?
The only two major studies supported by the
National Eye Institute (NEI) are the AREDS1 and
AREDS2 studies. These studies essentially identifi
ed nutrients that are helpful in slowing down the
Clinical Assistant Professor
of Ophthalmology NYU
progression of macular degeneration, a retinal disease
usually found in older individuals that destroys
a person’s ability to read or see small print. In order
to stay healthy the retina needs carotinoids such as
Lutein and Zeaxanthine. These are found in green
leafy vegetables such as kale and spinach. The
AREDS studies found that supplements which contain
500 mg Vitamin C, 400IU Vitamin E, and 80 mg
Zinc, 1000 mg of omega3 fatty acids and 12 mg of
the carotenoids reduced the progression of moderate
and advanced macular degeneration by 25%.
Although the results of the addition of omega 3s and
carotenoids were inconclusive, many researchers
believe that these are helpful in reducing advanced
changes in macular degeneration.
Other supplements found helpful in maintaining
good health are Vitamins A, E, B complex and
omega 6 fatty acids. Ginkgo biloba has also been
found effective for glaucoma. The omega3 and
6 fatty acids were found useful in treating dry eye
syndrome. To date no vitamins have been found to
prevent cataracts.
But, yes, do be careful. Too much of a good thing
can be detrimental. Check your vitamins carefully as
there may be some overlap between multivitamins.
Along with good nutrition, an annual visit to your
eye MD is essential to assure continued eye health.
Visit Brighton Eye at our state-of-the art eye care facility
for all of your eye health needs.
Visit our state-of-the-art facility located at 2025 Kings Hwy
718-339-6868www.brightoneye.com
Most insurances accepted
TAKING CARE OF BROOKLYN’S EYES FOR OVER 27 YEARS
Caribbean L 44 ife, April 5–11, 2019 BQ
complex carbohydrates, which include
quinoa and oatmeal, are loaded
with fi ber. It takes awhile for the body
to break that fi ber down, helping people
feel full and stabilizing their blood
sugar levels.
Simple carbohydrates, which include
processed foods such as sugarsweetened
beverages and dairy desserts,
are quickly digested, which
raises blood sugar levels and contributes
to feelings of infl ammation.
Water
The body is about 60 percent water,
which performs a host of important
functions. Water aids in digestion, absorption
of nutrients and circulation,
and also facilitates the transportation
of nutrients through the body. Water
also helps the body get rid of waste.
WebMD notes that water also helps
to energize muscles, which might suffer
from fatigue if the body’s fl uid balance
is not maintained. Water also
helps the body maintain a healthy
temperature.
People consume protein, carbs,
and water every day. And while they
might not know it, people who continue
to do so are helping their bodies
perform essential functions that dramatically
improve their health.
Calorie-conscious individuals may
wonder if eating at night or after
a certain time can derail their diets
and fi tness regimens. The jury is
still out on whether eating at night
can pack on the pounds or not, with
various health recommendations
contradicting one another. However,
if one does choose to snack at night,
there may be a smart way to do so.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s
Weight Control Information Network
says that a calorie is a calorie
no matter when it is consumed. That
means it doesn’t matter if calories are
consumed in the morning, afternoon, or
evening. It is how many are consumed
and the amount of physical activity individuals
perform that will affect their
weights. Conversely, the Academy of
Nutrition and Dietetics says it’s not sure
if a calorie is a calorie no matter when it
is consumed. Its research and data from
the University of Pennsylvania School
of Medicine’s Center for Weight and Eating
Disorders indicates that when food is
consumed late at night the body is more
likely to store those calories as fat and
gain weight rather than burn it off as energy.
Certain animal studies show that
food is processed differently depending
on the time of day it was consumed.
But what is a person to do when hunger
pangs hit at night and one fears that
their rumbling stomach may interrupt
their sleep? According to the nutrition
and fi tness experts at MyFitnessPal,
powered by Under Armour, stick to a
snack that is between 100 and 200 calories.
Choose a food that is high in protein,
fi ber, or healthy fats, which will
be more likely to keep a person satiated
throughout the night. Apples and peanut
butter, string cheese and fruit, or
whole-grain crackers and Greek yogurt
can be healthy, satisfying nighttime
snacks. Avoid sugary, calorie-dense
foods, which may be hard to digest and
can compromise sleep quality.
More studies may be necessary to determine
the relationship between body
weight and snacking at night. In the
meantime, nighttime snackers should
choose healthy foods when reaching for
a late night bite to eat.
Water aids in digestion, absorption of nutrients and circulation, and also facilitates the
transportation of nutrients through the body.
Nighttime snacking best bets
Late-night snackers should choose a food
that is high in protein, fi ber, or healthy fats,
which will be more likely to keep them satiated
throughout the night.