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The Best Ways to Protect Your Kid’s Eyesight

- Keith Rowe
The Best Ways to Protect Your Kid’s Eyesight

Decades ago, parents cautioned their kids to sit at least ten feet away from the family television set. Today, kids of all ages spend hours a day staring at computer screens or portable devices that are only a few inches away from their faces. How times have changed.

Dangers of Excessive Screen Time

Ongoing research reveals that concerns over kids and screens are justified. According to a National Health Interview Survey conducted during July 2021 - December 2023, half (50.4%) of teenagers 12-17 had 4+ hours of daily screen time. Not surprisingly, 1 in 4 of those teens experienced mood issues.¹

Though parents tend to focus on the behavioral and psychological dangers of screen obsession, it's possible for them to overlook the actual physical damage that can occur when their kids stare at illuminated screens for hours on end. These physical complications may include poor posture, neck strain, exposure to blue light and nearsightedness. Whether using their cell phone, tablet, or laptop to play video games, interact on social media, or study for school assignments, kids today are being set up for a host of eye problems.

Keeping an Eye on Vision Problems

Prolonged screen sessions can create many eye-related issues including tired or dry eyes, blurred vision, and headaches. Spending too much time looking at screens also can cause digital eye strain. Some refer to this as computer vision syndrome,² a condition where extended screen time can cause visual stress.

With our society’s ever-increasing dependence on technology, what can you do to protect your child’s eyes from the harmful effects of excessive screen time? Following these 5 simple tips can help reduce the adverse effects of digital eye strain…

5 Ways to Protect Your Child’s Vision from Harmful Screens

1. Take a Break

Research demonstrates that taking breaks actually improves focus and efficiency. It also decreases the symptoms of digital eye strain. Train your child to practice the “20-20-20 Rule.”

Every 20 minutes, have them take their eyes off the screen and look at something that’s at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This simple exercise can help realign eye muscles and reduce eye strain. Also, by switching their attention to something else for a brief period, they can return to their original task with renewed focus.

2. Blue Light Protection

How to Protect Your Eyes From Blue Light

Due to the known potential of blue light to damage the retina of the eye and disrupt the body’s natural 24-hour circadian rhythm, awareness of its dangers, such as its relatively high intensity from LED screens, has increased over the past few years. It’s prudent to protect your child’s eyes from blue light, both from sunlight and digital devices.

Polarized sunglasses can cut down on glare and blue light when your child is outside. For indoor wear, one suggested option is eyeglasses with a blue light filter in the lenses. As a precaution, make sure the tint doesn’t bother your child’s eyes before investing in blue light reduction lenses.

3. Tuck in Your Tech

More and more, parents are limiting their kids’ TV or tablet time. Establish a time when all devices will be turned off for the remainder of the evening.

Not only will this provide a break from calling, texting, browsing the internet and posting content on social media, it will also afford your family the opportunity to spend more quality time together. Additionally, it will give your kids’ eyes a well-earned rest after a long day of looking at screens.

4. Eye Exams

When laying out your calendar, be sure to schedule annual eye exams for your kids. However, if at any time your child starts squinting or complaining about unfocused vision, headaches or other eye-related discomforts, make an appointment to see an optometrist as soon as possible. When it comes to your child’s eyesight, it’s always best to be proactive.

5. Nutritional Support

Due to the dramatic amount of growth and development they experience, children need an ongoing generous daily allowance of vitamins and minerals. These nutrients are scientifically proven essential for our cells to work, and are critical for children's healthy growth, energy, vision, bone development, attention, learning, memory, and behavior. Failure to get enough of these nutrients leads to serious health problems, regardless of the child's age or stage of development.

A great way to help your kids get the nutrients they need is with high-quality dietary supplements. At BrainMD, we offer a wide array of brain directed nutraceutical ingredients in supplements designed to assist kids in reaching their fullest potential. Two of these nutrients – lutein and zeaxanthin – are essential for coping with blue light and other vision stressors.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin

Lutein and zeaxanthin are essential for vision and eye health. These carotenoid nutrients are highly concentrated in the eyes and some zones of the brain. They're actively accumulated by the brain, and clinical findings suggest they are involved in memory and likely other cognitive brain functions.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are the yellow-orange pigments of the retina, needed for the retina's electrical activity that translates into vision. They also protect the light-sensing cells of the retina against light damage – extremely important because light coming into the eye carries high energy that can kill these cells. They are also essential for efficient glare discrimination.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are practically vitamins, since the body can’t make them and we must get them from our diet. They are mostly present in leafy-green and yellow-red vegetables; surveys indicate many people aren’t getting enough of these nutrients from their foods. Sadly, very few multiples provide lutein and zeaxanthin.

To ensure your kids get the eye-strengthening support they need daily, consider having them take the multivitamin that has generous amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin…

Kids’ NeuroVite Multivitamin Chewables

BrainMD’s Kids’ NeuroVite Multivitamin Chewables was designed to bridge the nutrition gap in the modern diet and remove the guesswork from which multiple vitamin-mineral supplement is best for your children.* Kids’ NeuroVite provides the vitamins and minerals that are needed for healthy minds and active bodies.*

With our intense on purity, optimal absorption, and utilization, we selected the nutrient ingredients best documented for kids’ safety and overall health.* This science-based formulation provides generous amounts of nutrients to support brain and body maturation during your child’s formative years.*

Kids’ NeuroVite provides ultra-pure, brain directed ingredients that help:

  • make energy (magnesium, the B vitamins, iodine)*
  • process sugars from the diet (chromium, B vitamins)*
  • ensure the brain’s maturation (methylfolate, methyl-vitamin B12, vitamin D, choline)*
  • promote healthy immunity (the B vitamins, vitamin C, zinc, selenium)*
  • protect against toxins (vitamins A, C and E, zinc, copper, manganese, molybdenum, hesperidin)*
  • support the electrical activity of the retina and the brain (lutein, zeaxanthin)*
  • provide a foundation for bones, skin and other organs (vitamins D and K, calcium, silicon, boron)*

Kids’ NeuroVite surpasses other conventional brands in both the quality and quantity of its ingredients.* Kids’ NeuroVite has nearly 3 times more ingredients than the average kids’ vitamin.* Its diverse set of over 50 nutrients makes it the best multiple vitamin-mineral supplement to keep kids healthy and give you peace of mind.*

Your child will love the taste of the orange-flavored chewables, which are free from sugar, dairy, gluten, corn, eggs, soy, nuts, and artificial colorings or flavorings.*

Implementing these tips can help protect your child’s eyesight.*

Try Kids’ NeuroVite Multivitamin Chewables today!

 

At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality supplements to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen.

 

References:

1. Zablotsky, B., Arockiaraj, B., Haile, G., & Ng, A. E. (2024, October). Daily screen time among teenagers: United States, July 2021–December 2023 (NCHS Data Brief No. 513). National Center for Health Statistics. https://doi.org/10.15620/cdc/168509

2. Loh, K. Y., & Redd, S. C. (2008). Understanding and preventing computer vision syndrome. Malaysian Family Physician, 3(3), 128–130. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4170366

Meet Our Expert

Dr. Parris Kidd

Dr. Parris Kidd, Ph.D., is a pioneering authority in nutritional medicine with a background in zoology and cellular biology from UC Berkeley. His work includes influential research on brain nutrients like PS and GPC, award-winning supplement formulations, and extensive publications. Formerly Chief Science Officer at leading supplement companies, Dr. Kidd is widely respected for his contributions to nutritional science and his commitment to integrity.

Meet the Author

Keith Rowe

Keith has been a member of the BrainMD team for the past 7 years. Serving as copywriter and editor, he has written 400 blogs and has been involved with the launch of 32 new supplements. He takes many BrainMD supplements daily and his favorite is Neuro-C Vitamin C due to its efficacy and energizing citrus flavor.

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How many hours a day do you sit? How often do you slouch in a chair or sofa? How long have you had pain in your back? Standard health checks may include your eyes (optometrist), teeth (dentist), skin (dermatologist), heart (cardiologist), or overall physical health (general practitioner). But how often do you consider your spine? Have you ever had chiropractic care, and if so, when was your last adjustment? If you’re experiencing back pain, it might be related to issues with your spine. In fact, many health problems may be traced to the spine since each region of the spine is linked to different organs or body systems. 5 Spine Regions The spine – or spinal column – is divided into five regions (from top to bottom): cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum and coccyx. [wc_box color="inverse" text_align="left" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" class=""] Cervical This is structurally linked to the skull, neck, brain, mouth, and jaw. It protects the spinal cord as it emerges from the skull and supports the head’s movements. Thoracic This area of the spine is closely associated with the heart and lungs and provides support to the rib cage. Lumbar This area of the spine is associated with the abdominal organs and the lower back. It also supports the upper spine. Sacrum The sacrum is where the spinal column tapers off. It’s structurally associated with the pelvis, buttocks, feet, and sciatic nerve. Coccyx Also known as the tailbone, the coccyx is linked to the pelvis. It also helps with balance and stability when walking or running. Both the sacrum and coccyx contain nerve roots that innervate the lower body. [/wc_box] Spine Facts The average adult spine consists of 33 vertebrae (bones that protect the nervous tissues of the spinal cord). It also has connections with over a hundred muscles, which is why it’s so flexible. The spinal column is the body’s main structure enabling its upright posture. When healthy, it’s a strong framework that includes nerves, joints, bones, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. The spinal cord is the main route for nerve fibers that send and receive messages to and from the brain for all functions in the body. The spine actually has a structural type of memory…its posture changes as it grows accustomed to how you stand and sit. That’s why undoing bad posture can be so difficult. The good news is that the spine can “remember” good posture, as well. Aside from the common cold, back pain is the number one reason people visit their doctor. It’s also the leading reason why people miss work. Most back pain is concentrated in the lower back. It’s estimated that 80% of people in the U.S. will experience back pain¹ at some point in their lives. It’s important to establish healthy habits that can protect your spine and help you maintain good posture. Here are just a few… Top 10 Tips for Supporting a Healthy Spine & Relieving Back Pain 1. Reduce Sitting Time Over time, sitting at a desk (for work or school) may damage your spine…and ruin your posture. Prolonged sitting also can lower metabolic rate and increase the risk of blood pressure and weight issues. Set a timer to remind you to take a break. It’s recommended that you stand for at least one minute every hour. Also, avoid sitting in the same position for more than 30 minutes. 2. Supportive Footwear One of the best things you can do for the health of your spine is to wear comfortable, and supportive footwear. This is especially true if you frequently walk or jog. Be sure the back of your foot is snug in the heel, but not too tight. For women, avoid wearing high heels, which can put added stress on the spine. 3. Exercise Your Core The muscles in your abdomen (“abs”) and back are crucial to spine support. For many people, these muscles are weak and must be strengthened with exercise. Exercises that strengthen your core, neck, and back muscle groups will improve your spine health. Doing daily stretches can help keep your vertebral discs flexible, lubricate your spinal and other joints, strengthen your muscles, and increase your overall flexibility. Also, many people enjoy yoga or other workout routines that involve stretching and movement. 4. Posture-promoting Chair Sadly, many desk chairs don’t properly support the spine. This is especially true of older chairs that have worn padding or lean to one side. Invest in a desk chair that’s ergonomically suited for your body. 5. Stretch Your Hamstrings If your hamstring muscles are tight, your lower back and sacroiliac joints might experience increased pain. It’s a good idea to stretch your hamstrings if you’ve been sitting for an extended period or if you’re preparing to engage in physical activity. Here are a few effective hamstring stretches² you can try. 6. Proper Lifting Have you ever pulled a muscle or thrown out your back while lifting something? Maybe it wasn’t even a large or heavy object that caused the pain in your back. Maybe it was the way you lifted it. There are correct and potentially injurious ways to lift something. Rather than bending over, keep your back straight and bend your knees; then, lift with your legs, not your back. This should reduce the strain on your back and help prevent a serious back injury. Wearing a back brace is a good idea if you’re moving many heavy items. For large objects like couches or other pieces of furniture, be sure to enlist the help of others to do a team lift rather than a DIY approach that can lead to injury. 7. Get Restorative Sleep Pain is a leading cause of sleeplessness. Inadequate sleep may prevent the body from properly healing, which may make back pain worse. For proper spine support, sleep on a medium-firm mattress and place a pillow between your legs when sleeping on your side. This will help keep your hips aligned with the rest of your body. If you have difficulty falling asleep due to back pain, or any other reason, consider taking a natural sleep aid to ease you into a restful night’s sleep. 8. Release Your Endorphins Endorphins are feel-good chemicals that the body produces. Endorphins can help block pain signals from registering in your brain. Acupuncture performed by a trained practitioner can release pleasant feeling endorphins and help with lower back pain.³ Aerobic exercise, meditation, deep breathing, and massage therapy also have been shown to increase endorphin levels in the body. A massage can loosen tight muscles, increase blood flow, and boost feelings of calm and well-being. 9. Stand Up Many people use a standing desk, which can help maintain good posture and blood flow. It also helps prevent the slouching and spine alignment issues that can come from excessive sitting. Another way to maintain good posture while working or studying is to get a treadmill desk. Walking at a very slow pace while you write or reply to emails can improve your focus and energy. Caveat: standing too long (especially in one position) can put a strain on the lower back, joints, and feet, so take occasional breaks from standing. 10. Spine-friendly Nutrients The spine is living tissue composed of a variety of cell types that require all the vitamins, essential minerals, and other nutrients the other organs need. Some details on nutrients and your spine: [wc_box color="secondary" text_align="left" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" class=""] Vitamin C One of vitamin C’s many benefits is that it’s essential for making collagen, which is fundamental to the structure of the discs as well as the connective tissue matrix that forms bone. Vitamin D The body uses this vitamin to make a hormone that controls calcium absorption and its utilization to make bone as well as for maintaining muscle health. Vitamin K This vitamin helps ensure calcium is directed into bone and not into arteries and other soft tissues where it can cause damage. Calcium This mineral makes up the bulk of bone, and is needed for nerve transmission and muscle function. Magnesium Also essential for making strong bones, magnesium helps balance calcium in your body. It also helps protect against muscle spasms, which can make a minor spinal posture problem much worse. Iron This essential mineral is vital to the health of all our tissues. Iron is vital for the delivery of oxygen via hemoglobin, and for myoglobin, an oxygen-binding protein found in muscles. Omega-3 Fatty Acids Omega-3 EPA and DHA help maintain a healthy anti-inflammatory balance in the living bone tissue and nerves and muscles associated with the spine. Phosphorus This essential mineral works with calcium to form bone. It’s also needed to make energy. Vitamin A A vitamin crucial for forming and repairing all our tissues. B Vitamins The B vitamins, including folate and vitamin B12, are all important for bone, nerve, and muscle function. [/wc_box] Keep A Healthy Spine in Mind The spine provides the framework for your entire body and is connected to every vital system in your body. Keeping your spine strong, aligned, and free of blockages is important not only for your posture but for your overall health and well-being. If you’ve been experiencing back pain, seriously consider seeing a trained chiropractor or orthopedist. A chiropractor can help correct spinal misalignments, which in turn may help relieve other bodily issues resulting from misaligned muscle and nerve groups connected to the spine. If you’ve never been to a chiropractor, or if it’s been a while since you’ve had an adjustment, consider making an appointment to have a chiropractor take a look at your spine. Back pain can be resolved or lessened by using the resources available to you, including the self-help techniques we’ve listed above. If you want to have a healthy spine, today and throughout your life, it's a good idea to practice these practical tips. We hope you feel a positive difference soon.   At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest purity nutrients to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen.   References: Vällfors, B. (1985). Acute, subacute and chronic low back pain: Clinical symptoms, absenteeism and working environment. Scandinavian Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. Supplement, 11, 1–98. PMID: 3161177. Sears, B. (2024, June 7). 6 easy hamstring stretches to do at home: Loosen tight hamstring muscles with these simple moves. Verywell Fit. https://www.verywellfit.com/ Trigkilidas, D. (2010). Acupuncture therapy for chronic lower back pain: A systematic review. Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, 92(7), 595–598. https://doi.org/10.1308/003588410X12699663904196

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How Caffeine Effects Your Brain: Truths and Myths

How Caffeine Effects Your Brain: Truths and Myths

It suddenly seems as though there’s a new coffee shop on every corner, selling highly caffeinated drinks packed with sugar and fat. As a society, we are going from drinking 1-2 cups of coffee a day to 1-2 cups – three or four times a day. It’s the new comfort food, especially in cold weather. In order to make it in today’s fast-paced world, you’ve got to stay focused with plenty of energy – both physical and mental energy. It’s easy to see why your body craves caffeine in the short term, especially if you’re sleep-deprived and feeling down. As energy levels dip because of an overstressed lifestyle, though, have you ever wondered what all that caffeine is doing to your brain? Many people don’t know of an alternative to caffeine. Negative Effects of Caffeine on the Brain  Granted, caffeine can lead to temporary increased alertness, and sports medicine research does promote it as an athletic performance enhancer under certain conditions. However, excessive caffeine every day also constricts blood flow to your brain¹ and many other organs. A daily cup of joe probably isn't a problem, but more than 3-4 cups of caffeine, which is metabolized in your hard-working liver, may raise a few issues. Adenosine is a chemical in the brain that causes drowsiness by slowing down nerve cell activity – and it’s the key to understanding caffeine dependence. When we are tired, adenosine triggers the brain to slow down so we will go to sleep and naturally rejuvenate our own brain function. Caffeine blocks the effects of adenosine² by occupying the adenosine receptor sites and preventing the brain from seeing it. So even if you are tired and in need of sleep to revitalize brain chemistry, caffeine tricks the brain into thinking it is wide awake. Additionally, caffeine causes the release of adrenaline from the adrenal glands, putting the body into a stressful fight or flight mode, whereby: Your pupils dilate Your heart beats faster Blood vessels on the skin constrict to slow blood flow from cuts Blood flow increases to working muscles Blood pressure rises Blood flow to the stomach slows Your liver releases sugar into the bloodstream for extra energy Muscles tighten up, ready for action Caffeine also increases dopamine levels in the same way that amphetamines do. Dopamine is a brain neurotransmitter that activates the pleasure centers of the brain. While caffeine's effects are far less than amphetamines, it is a similar process. Long-term Effects of Caffeine: Bad for Your Brain? Excessive caffeine use is associated with serious dehydration (which can harm your body in numerous ways), added stress on your heart, high blood pressure, jitteriness and headaches. Truth is, depending on your own body chemistry, when the effects of the caffeine wear off, you can actually feel fatigued and moody. So, you consume more caffeine to re-energize. Soon enough, you're hooked on the stuff – and it takes more and more to achieve that same feeling. After years of studying brain scans at Amen Clinics, it is clear that reduced cerebral blood flow is the opposite of what you want for optimal brain function. “In fact, decreased cerebral blood flow lowers cognitive function and can exacerbate emotional and mental health problems,” says Dr. Daniel Amen. So, how can you enjoy all-day alertness and productivity without the caffeine jitters? BrainMD is proud to offer its premium, all-natural, all day energy supplement... Focus & Energy BrainMD’s Focus & Energy was designed to promote sharpness, improve mental and physical productivity, and prevent fatigue without lowering blood sugar.* Unlike many other dietary supplements, Focus & Energy provides nutritional and medicinal plant concentrates that are traditionally used as adaptogens and are clinically researched for these benefits.* Focus & Energy is formulated specifically to reinforce the brain and body’s ability to fight fatigue and adapt to stress.* Its 55 milligrams of choline makes a substantial contribution to the recommended intakes.* It contains a potent green tea extract, high in EGCG and other polyphenol antioxidants, chosen specifically to intensify blood flow that enables oxygen and nutrient delivery to the brain.* Focus & Energy also contains three highly concentrated plant adaptogens, renowned for helping brain and body cope with mental or physical stress: Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic medicinal revered over thousands of years for its mental sharpening benefits.* Modern clinical research reveals it is also superb for coping with stress³ and occasional anxiety.* Rhodiola thrives in the most extreme Siberian climates and is a favorite in the East. This concentrate is doubly standardized and has shown strong anti-stress benefits in clinical trials.* Asian (Panax) ginseng leads all other ginsengs for its almost immediate mental focus benefits.* This concentrate is loaded with 15% brain-active ginsenosides and has been subjected to intensive research, with excellent results.* If you’re looking for a safe, effective, and natural way to support your mental focus while conserving your mental and physical energy, Focus & Energy is an excellent choice.* And unlike the energy rush, you can get from your stimulant of choice (coffee, diet soda, caffeine pills), there’s no dramatic drop in mood and energy with this dietary supplement.* Focus & Energy is safe, natural, and non-habit-forming.* Try it today!   At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality supplements to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about Focus & Energy and our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD. *These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen.   References: 1. Addicott, M. A., Yang, L. L., Peiffer, A. M., Burnett, L. R., Burdette, J. H., Chen, M. Y., Hayasaka, S., Kraft, R. A., Maldjian, J. A., & Laurienti, P. J. (2009). The effect of daily caffeine use on cerebral blood flow: How much caffeine can we tolerate? Human Brain Mapping, 30(10), 3102–3114. https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.20732 2. Ribeiro, J. A., & Sebastião, A. M. (2010). Caffeine and adenosine. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 20(Suppl 1), S3–S15. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-2010-1379 3. Baker, C., Kirby, J. B., O'Connor, J., Lindsay, K. G., Hutchins, A., & Harris, M. (2022). The perceived impact of ashwagandha on stress, sleep quality, energy, and mental clarity for college students: Qualitative analysis of a double-blind randomized control trial. Journal of Medicinal Food, 25(12), 1095–1101. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2022.0042

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