GRAND Magazine - January/February 2019 - 27

health

The one thing you may not be doing to protect your independence
BY JONNY BOWDEN, PHD,CNS

ust about every article on healthy aging will remind you to eat
better, exercise more, get plenty of rest and make sure you're
getting routine check-ups with your dentist and doctor. While
I am passionate about all those things, this time I'm focusing on
taking care of your eyes.
As I get older, I'm noticing that my eyes are changing. And, I'm
paying more attention to keeping them healthy. Eye care may also
need some seasonal adjustments. Fall's dry air can bother eyes.
So, can all those hours spent online.
Think about how many times you depend on your
eyes every day. From reading mail and paying bills
to driving, your vision is massively important for
your independence as you get older. Make sure
you're doing all you can for your eyes.

computer glasses that have a blue light
filter in the lenses. (A third option is to
just cut your screen time!)

tossing your mascara, shadows and eye liners because they
harbor germs that may cause eye infections. If you don't want to
go to the expense of replacing makeup that frequently, smell it. If
*
Use protective eyeit's stinky, it's not worth the risk.
wear when doing fall yard work.
* Keep rocking your sunglasses all year long. The sun's
Blowing or raking leaves can send
rays can still damage your eyes even on cloudy, overcast days.
small pieces of plant matter
Make sure your sunglasses block 90 to 100 percent of all UVA/
flying into your eyes.
UVB radiation.
Because the lenses
* Always be ready to soothe dry eyes. Winter's dry, cold
of most protective
air can leave your eyes feeling dry and uncomfortable. A new eye
eyewear are made mist technology may forever change how you manage dry eyes.
of strong polySimilasan's Dry Eye Easy Mist is a pocket-sized mister.
carbonate, they
* Eat to protect your sight. Several nutrients are known
may do a better to support eye health and may even help protect eyes from catjob of proaracts and macular degeneration. These include beta-carotene;
tecting your
lutein; zeaxanthin; omega-3 fatty acids; zinc; and vitamins A, C, D
eyes from
and E. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is good for your eyes as
flying debris well as your overall health. That means eating plenty of dark leafy
than regular greens, sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, berries, nuts and seeds,
sunglasses brown rice, citrus fruits and melons. Eye-friendly proteins include
or preshrimp, crab, eggs and cold-water fish such as salmon, herring
scription
and mackerel.
glasses.
You can continue to enjoy your independence as you age.
When it comes to your eyes, it may just require making some
adjustments here and there.

Here are some of my
favorite tips:

* Tell your eyecare professional if family
members have been diagnosed with an
eye disease or condition. Some conditions are

hereditary, which may put you at higher risk for
developing them. Taking appropriate precautions,
and catching symptoms early, may help ultimately help preserve your vision.

* Look away from the screen every 20
minutes. We don't blink as often when we're

staring at the computer. If you're not protecting your eyes, you may be increasing your risk
for digital eye strain and dry eyes. Also, every
20 minutes, it's smart to look 20 feet away for
20 seconds. Another option is to wear special

Jonny Bowden
27 GRAND

JANUARY FEBRUARY 2019

* Ladies, smell your eye makeup. Experts recommend

Jonny Bowden, PhD, CNS, aka "The Nutrition Myth Buster" is a nationally
known expert on weight loss, nutrition and health. He has a Ph.D. in nutrition
and a master's degree in psychology. Bowden is the author of fourteen books
on health, healing, food and longevity including three best-sellers, The 150
Healthiest Foods on Earth, Living Low Carb and The Great Cholesterol Myth
(co-authored with Stephen Sinatra, MD).

https://www.facebook.com/GRANDmagazine/ https://www.twitter.com/grandMmagazine https://www.jonnybowden.com/ https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1592337643/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=grandmagazi0d-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1592337643&linkId=c59136c9d5e9a4cb096cfa586f61e666 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1592337643/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=grandmagazi0d-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1592337643&linkId=c59136c9d5e9a4cb096cfa586f61e666 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1454903511/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=grandmagazi0d-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1454903511&linkId=f2725f5da9803e45dbf6218aba04c97b https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1592337120/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=grandmagazi0d-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1592337120&linkId=9c781fca09a2ef83181fb6729e029910

GRAND Magazine - January/February 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of GRAND Magazine - January/February 2019