Brain and vision health
- josephplatt1979
- Jul 17, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 5, 2022
The eye may be small but it is one of the most amazing parts of your body and has a lot in common with the brain. The eyes are wonderfully complex organs, but few realize that they are actually an extension of the brain. As an integral part of the central nervous system (CNS), the eyes are the only part of the body where nervous tissue and blood vessels can be seen directly. The brain and eyes share similar origins in development, similar vasculature or blood vessels, and similar processes that lead to dysfunction. These similarities are what researchers believe to be the reason why when there’s a breakdown in the brain, it often surfaces in the eye. Though these changes in the retina are good indicators of concern, it’s hard to pinpoint which neurological issue is tied with specific retinal change. It's already known that eye exams can help diagnose systemic health issues like cardiovascular disease, risk factors for stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune diseases, sexually transmitted diseases and some cancers. The connection between the eyes and brain has stimulated more studies to determine if a detailed eye exam could help identify early stages of brain diseases such as Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, or Alzheimer’s.
What Affects Both Eye and Brain Function?
Because of the deep, biological connection between the eyes and brain, there are several factors that impact both. These factors range from illness to simply aging, but they can all be seen in the way eyes and brain function. For example, changes in eye movements are indicative of both aging and cognitive degeneration
Ageing - Of course our bodies change as we age and this includes our brains. Some of the more common changes include memory and attention, which tend to become worse with age. As mentioned, eye movements also change with age, with saccades movements changing the most significantly. These movements become smaller, less frequent, and more difficult to initiate as the years go on.
Cognitive Deterioration - Because of the biological connection between the brain and eyes, there are many neurological concerns that present in the eyes/optic nerve, providing direct identification. Concerns like multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and stroke all appear in the eyes as well as the brain. Consequently, if there’s pressure build up in the brain from a brain tumour or similar issue, there is swelling that can be seen in the optic nerve, notifying health professionals of the neurological concern.
There should be great importance of maintaining routine eye care and it’s all about adopting healthy dietary choices. Including lots of leafy greens like spinach, kale and collards can not only reduce your oxidative stress but also decrease your risk of glaucoma and dementia because they are rich in nitrate, a compound that your body converts to nitric oxide which plays a role in increasing blood flow. Eliminating unrefined “white” carbs like sugar and flour can lower your resting blood sugar and insulin resistance, both of which increase your risk of developing macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and Alzheimer’s disease. modifying your diet and lifestyle can lower not just your Alzheimer’s risk but also offset many other disease processes at their earliest stages, leading to a long and healthy life!
As we age, our vision and cognitive capabilities face numerous challenges, so it's imperative we fortify our bodies with nutrients necessary to maintain our health. Included in these are antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and targeted botanical extracts. Eye and brain supplements have ingredients that help support your body's natural protection against the effects of aging on your health. Support your Brain with key ingredients to maintain your healthy lifestyle by looking into getting eye and brain boosting supplements.
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