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Eye Health and Nutrition - Pistachios and Nuts Ophthalmologist, discusses nutrition and eye health and how pistachios and nuts can help protect vision as we age.
Ophthalmologist, discusses nutrition and eye health and how pistachios and nuts can help protect vision as we age.
Dr. Annick Fournier, MD, FRCSC, Ophthalmologist Eye health and nutrition - Pistachios and nuts
Duration: 1:31
Pistachios are members of the tree nut family which are foods that are generally under consumed relative to their nutritional value.
People often look at nuts like pistachios and see them as a source of excess calories, but the reality is that regular nut intake is strongly associated with improved long-term health in quite literally every category.
Nuts like pistachios are among the only sources of cholesterol lowering monounsaturated fats and plant sterols while also containing key blood pressure lowering nutrients like potassium and magnesium.
Pistachios are unique among nuts because they are the one variety that contains significant amounts of the antioxidant compounds lutein and zeaxanthin, a pair of phytochemicals concentrated in the human retina.
Scientists believe that lutein and zeaxanthin protect the retina from damage as we age, and that consuming more of these compounds from food can contribute to a reduced risk of cataract and macular degeneration.
Presenter: Dr. Annick Fournier, Ophthalmologist, Ottawa, ON
Local Practitioners: Ophthalmologist
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This content is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.