Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley: Lesson Time in Health

Hello September, from the gang at Site for Sore Eyes Berkeley! 

As we mentioned in last week’s blog, the school session at Berkeley University is beginning, and students – from newbie freshmen to seasoned seniors are hanging out between classes in Constitution Square. Along with the high school, junior high, and elementary school kids, it is a new year to learn new things at school.

With the subject of school in mind… take a look at this picture. It was painted by the famous Norman Rockwell in the 1950s, and is titled, “Happy Birthday, Miss Jones.” Do you see the apples on her desk? (We hope you can. If you can’t, PLEASE schedule your eye exam!) The reason that we are presenting this picture is that many years ago, it was customary for kids to bring apples to their teacher. It’s interesting then, that the month that marks of the start of school should also be “Fruit & Veggies Month.”

There is a scary statistic that has been reported by the organization, Fruits & Veggies – More Matters®, and that is over 90% of the population is not eating the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables. The vitamins from fruits and vegetables that many people are denying themselves can have an obvious (an adverse) effect on their health. One such example is vitamin A (as in ‘apple’), which has a number of important nutrients that everyone is missing out on. Vitamin A is one of 13 essential vitamins that maintain health, and (you guessed it), the strength of human vision. How the retina functions, how you see color, and “low light” vision greatly depend on how much vitamin A is in your system. Signs and symptoms of a deficiency in vitamin A include night blindness, dry eye, cornea disorders ­– and even blindness.

How then, can we avoid or off-set the serious conditions that are listed above? Obviously, we need to add more vitamin A (through the right foods and supplements) to our diets. By getting anywhere from 600 to 1,700 micrograms of vitamin A per day, we can keep…eye troubles at bay. (You thought we were going to say “…the doctor away,” didn’t you?).

Foods that are rich in vitamin A include carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes (good that these will soon be in season), squash, bell peppers, kidney beans, and leafy greens. (Too bad apples aren’t on the list…that really would have brought this full circle.) For fuller descriptions about health and vitamins, check out LoveToKnow.com.

As we are about to start a new season (fall begins “officially” on Tuesday, September 23^rd), consider adapting to new eating habits that will enhance your health and build up your strength. Cheers to vitamin A (as well as every other vitamin). And don’t forget vitamins B (1 through 12), C, and the others on the list.

Thanks for reading. Keep your sites on healthy vision.