The Eye is the lamp of the body, so if the eye is healthy your whole body will be full of light. Eye is the busiest organ as it starts working from the moment you wake up till the moment you close your eyes. Any information that your brain receives is initially processed through your vision. But, do your eyes get all the essential nutrients they need to keep them healthy? ( A guideline to children’s eye care)

If the answer is NO then don’t count upon consumptions of pills and syrups to reduce this risk. Rather than giving medicated supplements to kids, it is always preferable to stock up on foods for eye health and incorporate them into their diet. The best sources of these vitamins, minerals and antioxidants are from whole foods. This is because they may contain a combination of nutrients that provide these benefits. But again, does Beta-Carotene and Vitamin A really help in boosting eye health?

The answer to this is YES! Read on to learn more about how much of these nutrients is actually needed. But first, Basics! 

REASONS OF WEAK EYESIGHT:

1. Genetics: Kids with a family history of poor eyesight are at higher risk of weaker eyesight than those who don’t have any family history of eye issues.
2. Lack of nutrients: Eating habits should be taken care of from an early age, as eating low nutrient food can lead to many health issues and weak eyesight is one of them.
3. Screen time: Limitless screen time is adversely affecting the overall health including the eyes of kids especially those under the age of 3 years, as their development is happening rapidly.
4. Sunlight: Just like UV rays affect our skin, it too affects our eyes. Photo keratitis is a type of sunburn on the surface of the eye.
5. Lack of sleep: If there has been continuous lack of sleep it may cause eye fatigue and strain. Your eyes also get continuous lubrication when you get enough sleep. (How to improve your child’s sleep cycle?)
6. Rubbing eyes: Rubbing your eyes can break the fragile vessels around the eyes. It may give you a moment of relief but the after effects are really bad.

WHAT IS BETA CAROTENE?

Beta carotene is a red-orange pigment found in colorful vegetables and fruits. It is the primary source of vitamin A in the human diet. Beta carotene is the precursor of vitamin A i.e., the formation of vitamin A starts for this. Orange-coloured fruits and vegetables like carrots, mangoes, apricots, and sweet potatoes are high in beta-carotene which helps your eyes to adjust them in darkness and improves night vision. (9 proven foods for eye health in kids)

HOW MUCH BETA CAROTENE DO YOU NEED?

Vitamin A RDAs are expressed as retinol activity equivalents (RAE). One milligrams of RAE is equivalent to 12 milligrams of dietary beta-carotene and 2 milligrams of supplemental beta-carotene. (7 Essential Nutrients for Eye Health in kids)

Age	Male	Female	Pregnancy	Lactation
0–6 months*	400 mcg RAE	400 mcg RAE
7–12 months*	500 mcg RAE	500 mcg RAE
1–3 years	300 mcg RAE	300 mcg RAE
4–8 years	400 mcg RAE	400 mcg RAE
9–13 years	600 mcg RAE	600 mcg RAE
14–18 years	900 mcg RAE	700 mcg RAE	750 mcg RAE	1,200 mcg RAE
19–50 years	900 mcg RAE	700 mcg RAE	770 mcg RAE	1,300 mcg RAE
51+ years	900 mcg RAE	700 mcg RAE

WHY DO KIDS NEED BETA CAROTENE?

Children of growing age require a relatively high intake of vitamin A, roughly half of what adults require. The second reason for this Infections. Yes, infections raise the metabolic rate, which raises the body’s usage of vitamin A and limits it for their eye care. Breastmilk is sufficient for vitamin A up to the age of six months, but after that, additional meals high in beta carotene should be supplemented. A vitamin A-rich diet for a young kid should include at least 2–3 servings of vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables per day, as well as a little amount of fat to promote absorption. According to studies, foods high in beta carotene contribute significantly to the daily supply of vitamin A.

ABSORPTION OF BETA CAROTENE:

The absorption of Β- carotene from the food sources varies from 5% to 65% in human beings. It depends on various factors though. The absorption and conversion of beta carotene takes place in the presence of bile acids. The gut health (stable number of good bacteria) also plays a major role to absorb these carotenoids nd thus, eye care!

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO SHOW THE EFFECTS?

The rate at which beta carotene begins to have an effect is determined by a few factors. These factors include the source, absorption, your level of deficiency, how you eat your food, food processing, and other health conditions. It is critical to note that food supplements are not a magic pill that will instantly improve your eye health.

It takes time to build up a sufficient level of vitamins and minerals through daily and consistent consumption. A few studies and research shows that it takes around six to eight weeks to see noticeable changes.

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HOW TO TAKE BETA CAROTENE AND OTHER ANTIOXIDANT IN CORRECT AMOUNT?

It’s no SECRET that following an Ayurvedic lifestyle has numerous advantages. This unique collection of Ayurvedic spreads is an easy solution to feed daily nutrition for Immunity, Eye, Brain development, Bone strength and overall growth to kids without any fuss. To know more about kid’s ayurvedic foods –SHOP HERE.

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CHECK MORE PRODUCTS FOR:

Immunity, Gut health, Digestion, Weight, Brain development, Speech delay, Epilepsy, Eye health, Hormones, Sleep, Hyperactivity, Bones and Overall growth

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PARENT REVIEWS:

Some parents have been kind enough to share their journey with us. Let’s hear them to closely understand the benefits of Ayurvedic spreads by Iyurved.

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