Nutrition to Support Your Child’s Eye Health

Did you know that nutrition has a large impact on your child’s desire to learn and play? And that their immune system strength affects eyesight? There are many factors that play into how well your child does in the classroom. Besides encouraging studying and discipline, good nutrition and eye health are important for your child. Learn about the basics of important nutrients that support the eye, brain, and immunity and where to get them best from food and growing up milk options (eg. Similac Gain IQ).

Chronic Inflammation affects Eyesight

Just like sore joints causing mental irritation, any prolonged physical inflammation stresses particular cells and impedes function. If blood vessels are continuously inflamed, especially in the eye, a child can develop early vision impairment. Lasting redness, swelling, pain, fevers or fatigue are signs of illnesses. Provide support with vitamin B6, B12, Folic Acid, and Iron that increase immune cell quality and blood flow. Best found in lean red meat, whole grains, beans, and fortified foods.^{1, 2} 

Lutein, color of fruits for supporting the vision 

Lutein, the ingredient that gives plants their pigments, is a strong antioxidant that supports the macula of the eye. It is important for relaying information from the eye to the visual cortex in the brain, meaning it is what helps your child see. Lutein is found mostly in dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, mustard leaves or tomatoes, eggs, corn, kiwi, grapes, and oranges.³

RRR Vitamin E, support for Brain and Eye development

Vitamin E or often listed as RRR or alpha–tocopherol, is a nutrient used by an area in the brain responsible for cognitive visual, learning, and auditory abilities. It is another powerful antioxidant that prevents cell oxidative stress, as well as longevity of nutrients vulnerable to oxidative damage. Since your child’s delicate eyes are faced with free radicals every day, this is an important nutrient so provide them with plenty of leafy vegetables, seafood, edible seeds, and cook with healthy vegetable oils.^{4, 5}

DHA, the vital fatty acids for cells

Docosahexaenoic acid is one of the most vital fatty acids for cells in a child’s body. Not only does it improve brain function, it supports immune cell strength, and reduces inflammation in the eye to improve functionality. Similar to Lutein, DHA is prone to oxidative stress, so absorption can be improved with vitamin E rich foods. Found mostly in fatty fish like tuna or salmon, DHA can be received from fortified food, milk or growing up milk alternatives, snacks, and eggs.^{2, 3, 5}

There are many factors that play into how well your child does in the classroom. due to circumstances, growing up milk alternatives can become a part of your child’s meals. For important nutrients like DHA, Similac Gain IQ can help. A unique combination of DHA, lutein, natural vitamin E and other vitamins and minerals that supports vision and brain development.

As always, consult a Medical Professional or Child Nutritionist before adding any growing up milk alternatives to their daily nutritional regimen.^{6, 7}

References:

1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21089-uveitis-in-children-and-adolescents
2. https://nutrition.abbott/in/clinical-studies/optigro
3. https://health.usnews.com/wellness/food/articles/2017-09-08/5-nutrients-to-improve-your-kids-brain-health
4. https://www.eyesiteonwellness.com/improving-eyesight-with-a-capital-e-the-little-known-benefits-of-a-vitamin/