Is Vitamin B Good For My Eyes?

By Brooke Strickland
Writer for FEP International

Is Vitamin B good for my eyes? A recent study says it just might. In a study published in The Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers found that vitamin B supplements have the potential to reduce the risk for age-related macular degeneration, at least in women with cardiovascular disease or those with a risk for it. The study divided women into two groups (one group was given a placebo, the other group was given vitamins B6 and B12 with folic acid) and followed them for an average of 7.3 years. After following up on the group, researchers found that there were 55 cases of macular degeneration in the treatment group and 82 among those who took a placebo [1].

The Vitamin B complex (comprising the essential B vitamins of B1, B2 B3, B6, B9, and B12), has lots of other health benefits. Some of these benefits include its benefit for correct digestion, healthy skin, hair, and nails, and a strong nervous system. It also helps in energy production and boost your immunity so you can fight off those nasty viruses that are floating around this time of year. They can also aid in quicker wound healing, help metabolize fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, and are necessary for optimum brain health and function, including assistance in concentration, memory, and balance. Some clinical studies have been conducted, and vitamin B6 alone has been proven beneficial in treating a variety of disorders, illnesses, and diseases. Some of these include:

* Autism
* Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
* Asthma
* Endometriosis
* Edema
* Premenstrual syndrome
* Acne
* Attention Deficit Disorder
* Schizophrenia
* Clinical depression

Besides taking vitamin B supplements, you can also start adding in some foods that are high in the vitamin B group. In fact, it’s been shown that when you consume B vitamins in your food, you can help reduce your risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Some of these include:

* Turkey
* Liver
* Liver oil
* Tuna
* Chili peppers
* Lentils
* Bananas
* Potatoes
* Molasses
* Oats
* Wheat bran
* Avocado
* Salmon

So, clearly there are many reasons to make vitamin B an important part of your food intake, as well as in your vitamin routine. By incorporating the vitamin into your daily regimen, you will start reaping the benefits.

References

[1] Regimens: Vitamins Show Promise in Protecting Eyes. New York Times. Accessed on the Web November 1, 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/03/health/03regi.html

[2] 5 Top Reasons you need vitamin B complex. Healthandgoodness.com. Accessed on the Web November 1, 2009. http://www.healthandgoodness.com/article/vitamin-b-complex-and-health.html

[3] What are some foods high in vitamin B? QandAs: Food. Accessed on the Web. November 1, 2009. http://food.qandas.com/healthy-recipes/what-are-some-foods-high-in-vitamin-b.html

[4] B Vitamins. Wikipedia.com. Accessed on the Web November 1, 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B_vitamins

[5] Vitamin B6 Benefits. Nutritional Supplements Health Guide. Accessed on the Web Nov 1, 2009. http://www.nutritional-supplements-health-guide.com/vitamin-b6-benefits.html