We’ve been hearing a lot about screens and their potential impact on eye health, especially related to children. However, it feels like the suggestion of “turn it off” is getting pretty tiresome, especially when you consider the sun gives off more blue light than screens. Another way to protect kids’ eyes from all the blue light exposure is through nutrition. Here are the nutrients to look out for.

Zeaxanthin

Found in brightly colored fruits and vegetables like corn and bell peppers, zeaxanthin is an antioxidant found naturally in the body. This nutrient concentrates heavily in the eyes, blood serum, and skin, and it’s also found in the brain. The eyes accumulate zeaxanthin in a protective pigment found in the center of the retina called macular pigment. Macular pigment’s job is to block blue light from reaching the delicate retinal cells responsible for vision.

While this is a natural blue light protection, the body doesn’t create zeaxanthin on its own. We need to eat or ingest zeaxanthin daily to support this protective pigment. The more zeaxanthin ingested, the better the protection.

Lutein

Lutein is zeaxanthin’s partner in crime. Found in leafy greens like spinach and broccoli, lutein is distributed throughout the body but accumulates heavily in the eyes and brain. Along with zeaxanthin, the eyes use lutein to help build macular pigment and protect the retinal cells from damage. While zeaxanthin is concentrated in the center, lutein fills out the peripheral, giving your eyes natural, well-rounded blue light protection.

Vitamin C

One of the most common “alphabet” vitamins supplemented, Vitamin C has many different benefits throughout the body. It helps support healthy immune function, and it helps support healthy vision. It works with other vitamins to build and strengthen the connective tissues of cells throughout the body, including the eyes. Vitamin C can be found in oranges, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, spinach, and bananas.

Vitamin E

In spport of Vitamin C, Vitamin E also works within the body to build and strengthen cell’s connective tissue. Additionally, Vitamin E helps support blood vessel health and circulation. It’s a powerful antioxidant and helps protect the body against free radicals, the term used for the harmful outcome of oxidation in the body. Free radicals can damage the cells within the body, causing them to breakdown and even die. Broccoli, spinach, and avocado are all good sources of Vitamin E.

Zinc

Another important nutrient for immune health, zinc is a mineral found in foods like nuts, baked beans, and milk. Zinc is an important mineral for cell growth and development and metabolism. Deficiency in this mineral can lead to a stunt in childhood development, as well as an increase in cell death.

Supplementation to Bridge the Gap

It’s no secret that children are picky eaters, so getting them to eat the foods, much less the amounts of foods necessary, to get these critical nutrients is a battle. That’s why many parents choose to give their children vitamins. However, the popular multi-vitamins are often missing the 2 most critical antioxidants for blue light protection: zeaxanthin and lutein. That’s where EyePromise® comes in.

EyePromise Screen Shield™ Teen

In working with a team of doctors, EyePromise developed a formula specifically for naturally defending children’s eyes from the effects of screen time. EyePromise Screen Shield Teen is a one-a-day, fruit punch-flavored, chewable tablets safe for kids ages 4 to 17. Manufactured in the U.S., it’s NSF Content Tested and Certified, meaning that what’s on the label is exactly what your child receives in each dose. This product is also:

• Gluten free
• GMO free
• Sugar free

Start protecting your child’s eyes today with EyePromise Screen Shield Teen. Learn more about the impact of blue light on children’s eyes.