Foods to Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy, Here Are They
Healthful Vitality | 09/24/2021 | By NP Contributor | Foods to Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy may cause irreversible loss of visual acuity and even blindness in those living with diabetes. It is a condition that occurs due to the disease of small blood vessels. In diabetes, small blood vessels supplying blood to the retina rupture, thus leading to the death of retinal cells.
Needless to say, that controlling blood glucose levels may considerably lower its risk. However, many people may struggle to maintain blood sugar levels adequately despite intensive drug therapy. Moreover, in some, diabetic retinopathy may occur despite excellent blood glucose control due to postprandial spikes in blood sugar levels.
It means that controlling blood sugar levels along with postprandial spikes will help. Postprandial spikes may be controlled by eating in smaller portions and more frequently. Additionally, one may include food items in the diet that are especially good for vision and preventing retinopathy, like foods rich in carotenoids, antioxidants, vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamins B-complex.
Foods to Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy:
1. Consume foods rich in carotenoids
The impact of vitamin A on eyesight is well known. Thus, one may consume foods rich in vitamin A. However, supplementing vitamin A is not always a good idea as there is a risk of hypervitaminosis and resulting side effects. Further, one should pay particular attention to other carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin. These are vitamin-A-like substances but with higher effectiveness and almost no side effects. Generally, yellow to orange-colored foods are rich in these pigments. Thus, carrots, corns, eggs, yellow pepper, fish, pasta, oranges are good.
2. Vitamin D
Vitamin D is known to protect from various diabetes-related complications, including reducing the risk of diabetic retinopathy. In addition, it may reduce inflammation and may boost vascular health. Vitamin D also helps improve insulin sensitivity and reduces pressure in smaller blood vessels. Fortified foods, egg yolk, liver, red meat, oily fish are some excellent sources of vitamin D, along with omega-3s.
3. Flavonoid-rich fruit and vegetables
Most colorful fruits and vegetables are rich in flavonoids [1], low in glycemic index and load. It means that they help boost eye health and do not increase blood glucose levels. Perhaps the best source of these antioxidants and anti-inflammatory flavonoids is berries. Flavonoids are also high in red wine, dark chocolate.
4. Higher vitamin Bs intake
Vitamin B1, B6, and B12 are especially good for preventing retinopathy. Getting B1 and B6 is not challenging as they are in abundance in various grains. However, B12 is mainly found in animal products. Thus, consume more cheese, milk, eggs, organ meat (liver and kidney), fish, and dark green vegetables.
5. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) boosting foods
Studies show that NAC is a potent antioxidant that is proven in experimental studies to help in diabetic retinopathy. It also appears to reduce the level of some harmful inflammatory compounds. Unfortunately, NAC is not found in food items. However, cysteine is found in foods like chicken, turkey, yogurt, eggs, cheese and may have similar benefits.
6. Food rich in vitamin C
Vitamin C may help lower blood pressure, improve microcirculation, reduce capillary endothelial dysfunction, and thus may be good for preventing diabetic retinopathy. It has numerous other benefits, like boosting immunity. Therefore, include more citrus fruits, berries, broccoli in the diet.
Although one may supplement these micronutrients, the benefits of vitamins and oxidants from foods are much greater due to the presence of many other beneficial compounds.
Reference
- Influence of flavonoid-rich fruit and vegetable intake on diabetic retinopathy and diabetes-related biomarkers. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1056872714001937