While the old saying, “you are what you eat,” may not be entirely true, your diet can play a role in your overall health, including the health of your eyes.

​March is National Nutrition Month, a good time to take a look at your eating habits. Learning the important nutrients for your vision, as well as what foods to avoid, can help keep your eyes healthy.
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​According to the National Kidney Foundation, about 30 million people have chronic kidney disease. Our kidneys regulate the water balance in, as well as remove waste from, our bodies. When our kidneys don’t function properly, the proper balance of minerals, such as sodium, calcium, and potassium, can be thrown off. In addition, the kidneys produce hormones that help regulate blood pressure. So, if they are not functioning well, it can affect blood pressure control. Over time, kidney disease may also lead to weakened bones, anemia, and nerve damage.
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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS), including the brain and spinal cord.

Why some people develop MS is not fully known. What is known is that something triggers the immune system to attack the spinal cord and brain. In people with MS, myelin, which protects the nerve fibers, becomes damaged in the CNS. 
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We all know getting enough sleep is essential for good health. Sleep affects almost all areas of our lives, from our moods to our weight. Inadequate sleep and sleep disorders can even affect our eyes.
 
Unfortunately, most of us do not get enough sleep. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the United States, about one-third of adults do not get enough sleep. Everything from stress to work can interfere with getting enough rest.  
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