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Is the chemical glyphosate really in food?
Learn why glyphosate may be harmful to your health, how it gets into food, and how you can avoid glyphosate in food.
Glyphosate—the main ingredient in Roundup, a weed killer sold for commercial and home use—has become a common topic of discussion in recent years. Many people who experienced repeated exposure to the chemical (including farmers, landscapers, and groundskeepers) later developed cancers, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma. While the parent company of Roundup, maintains that there's no link between cancer and glyphosate, many studies have suggested otherwise. Here, we'll explore more about glyphosate, how the chemical can get into food, and steps you can take to lower the amount of harmful chemicals in your diet.
What is glyphosate?
Glyphosate is a commonly-used herbicide (weed killer) that's used across a variety of settings, including farming and home gardening. The chemical was developed by the Monsanto company in the 1970s. The chemical works by interfering with an enzyme called EPSP synthase, which is essential for plant growth. Plants can't survive without this enzyme, and the application of glyphosate results in swift plant death.
Some crops have been genetically modified to tolerate glyphosate. This means that farmers can use glyphosate to kill weeds without killing certain genetically modified crops. Usually, glyphosate is applied directly to plant leaves.
Debates about the safety of glyphosate have been ongoing over the recent decade. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified the chemical as a probable human carcinogen (meaning it has the potential to cause cancer in humans). Other regulatory bodies refuted the studies from the IARC, stating that their evidence was not sufficient.
How does glyphosate get into food?
There are a few different ways that glyphosate can get into food sources, including:
- Direct application during farming: As we mentioned, glyphosate is typically sprayed directly onto the leaves of crops. Often, glyphosate remains on the plants throughout the harvest process, and can be ingested by people who eat the unprocessed crops, as well as those who eat processed foods that contain the crops treated with the herbicide.
- Use during harvest: Some farmers spray glyphosate directly on ready-to-harvest crops, including wheat, oats, and barley to dry out the plant material that will be discarded, as this can speed up the harvesting process.
- Environmental contamination: Glyphosate can end up in food and water indirectly. Wind and water runoff from farms can both carry glyphosate to areas that have never been treated with the chemical.
- Animal feed: Animals raised for human consumption (like pigs, cows, and chickens) are often fed crops (like grass, corn, and soybeans) that have been treated with glyphosate. The chemical enters the bodies and may still be present after the animal is slaughtered and processed.
Glyphosate and your health
When landscaping the area around your home, it makes sense to use natural products instead of glyphosate-based weed killers. While occasional use in accordance with package directions is unlikely to cause ill effects, many people prefer to use natural weed killers for home gardens.
While glyphosate can cause cancer at high doses, current research does not suggest that the low doses found in foods have the same effect. Some studies completed with in vitro cells (collected cells from a living organism that are studied, in isolation, in a lab) have shown that the introduction of glyphosate can disrupt hormones.
While these studies have yet to be replicated in any in vivo (inside the body) studies, the in vitro studies suggest that glyphosate may be associated with fertility issues and other reproductive hormone problems. Some studies also show that glyphosate exposure may create digestive issues similar to celiac disease.
The bottom line: The jury is still out on exactly how glyphosate in food may affect human health. The World Health Organization, the Food and Drug Administration, and the United States Department of Agriculture all regulate pesticide and herbicide levels in food due to potential harmful effects, and it makes sense to try to lower the amount of pesticides and herbicides in your diet as much as possible.
Tips to keep glyphosate and other harmful chemicals out of your diet
If you've decided that you'd like to keep glyphosate out of your diet as much as possible, there are simple steps you can take to reduce your exposure, including:
- Buy organic foods when possible. Organic farming standards prohibit farmers from using glyphosate. Choose foods that have an organic certification label. This is especially helpful for foods that tend to have high levels of glyphosate, including foods containing high-fructose GMO corn syrup, such as granola bars and breakfast cereals.
- Wash produce thoroughly. Washing fruits and vegetables can help to remove surface pesticides, even though some may remain.
- Enjoy fruits and vegetables that tend to be lower in pesticides. According to the Environmental Working Group, avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, onions, papayas, frozen peas, asparagus, honeydew, kiwi, and cabbage tend to be especially low in pesticides.
- Grow produce at home, if possible. If you have the space and time, growing your own food can help to reduce your exposure to glyphosate. You can choose to weed your garden on your own, without the use of any chemicals.
It's important to remember that even when you take conscious steps to reduce your glyphosate intake, it's likely impossible to completely eliminate the chemical from your diet. Runoff and wind transfer can make it difficult for organic farmers and other farmers who choose not to use the herbicide to avoid it completely.
At Evidation, we're here to give you the information you need to move your health forward
When you're working to improve your health, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the myriad of information available. At Evidation, our app helps you sort through the noise. When you download our app, you'll have the chance to share your health data with us (you'll be in control of your privacy every step of the way, and you can choose to stop sharing your data with us at any time). We'll use the information you share to offer you personalized, content-based insights that can help to inform your next steps in becoming your happiest, healthiest self. Click here to learn more about how Evidation works and download the free app today.
World Heart Day 2021
September 29th is World Heart Day. A global initiative to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD accounts for almost half of all deaths.
What is World Heart Day
World Heart Day is a global initiative to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease (CVD) and provide education and resources for those living with CVD.
The goal — reduce mortality and improve quality of life.
Observed every year on September 29th, World Heart Day is the largest, global awareness campaign for heart health.
CVD accounts for almost half of all deaths due to non-communicable disease world wide. It’s the world’s number one killer and a burden shared by all.
The World Heart Federation and their global partners lead the initiative each year. But it’s individuals who keep the conversation going. By learning more and sharing what we learn, each of us can lend our voice to the conversation and do our part in saving lives all over the world.
What is CVD
The Cleveland Clinic defines cardiovascular disease as
“a group of diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels of the body.”
This includes conditions like:
Arrhythmia
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)
Heart Failure
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Aortic disease
Pericardial disease
It also includes heart attack and stroke. Two of the most serious complications of cardiovascular disease.
According to the World Heart Federation,
“HEART DISEASE AND STROKE, IS THE WORLD’S LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH CLAIMING 18.6 MILLION LIVES EACH YEAR”
This year’s mission
“Harnessing the power of digital health to improve awareness, prevention and management of CVD globally is our goal for World Heart Day 2021.”
Today more than ever before, technology is a leading factor in health outcomes. Virtual visits with medical providers, health and fitness apps, symptom trackers, medication reminders, all are available and accessible digitally.
As more organizations like the World Heart Federation embrace this resource, the divide in access to healthcare shrinks. Of course, there’s still a lot of work to do. And we all have a part to play.
What can you do
Get on social media and start sharing!
The World Heart Federation has plenty of resources that allow you to add your voice to the global conversation. You can share posts, videos, even create your own posters to share!
Raising awareness does more than spark conversation, it sparks funding and access to care for so many that are without. The more we talk openly about health-related issues, the more resources are available for everyone.
Stay on top of your health!
Keep track of your health with one of the many apps or technologies available.
Fitness apps are an incredible resource for tracking your health and activity. Paired with Achievement, you can monitor your activity data, receive opportunities to participate in medical research, and access important information and resources to help you manage your health where you are.
Resources
For sharing information
World Heart Federation Resource Center
For learning more
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21493-cardiovascular-disease
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)
https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/index.htm
It’s National Hispanic & LatinX Heritage Month
Originally enacted by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968, the annual celebration was originally only a week long. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed the bill that extended it to a month-long celebration from September 15 — October 15 every year.
What is Hispanic & LatinX Heritage Month
“Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the history and countless contributions that Latinos have made to the nation over the years. This month we also honor the cultural richness of Hispanics, who come from Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.” — National Hispanic Council On Aging (NHCOA),
Originally enacted by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968, the annual celebration was originally only a week long. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed the bill that extended it to a month-long celebration from September 15 — October 15 every year.
Today, Hispanic Heritage month is celebrated nationwide as a way to honor the contributions made by Hispanic Americans.
It’s common to see displays of art, music, literature, poetry, food, clothing, and other cultural expressions as well as recognition of those who have contributed to the fields of science, business, and politics.
Why is Hispanic Heritage Month celebrated over two different months?
Most heritage months begin on the first and end on the last day of the month. So, why is Hispanic Heritage Month different?
September 15th is the day that several Hispanic nations gained independence from Spain. These nations include Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
When President Johnson originally established Hispanic Heritage Week, it began every year on September 15th as a way to honor this date. The week also included the anniversaries of the dates Mexico, Chile, and Belize each gained independence.
When the celebration was expanded to a month, it made sense to continue to honor these important dates.
Who celebrates Hispanic & Latin X Heritage Month and why?
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated by all Americans as a way of recognizing and honoring the unique cultural contributions of the many Hispanic individuals and groups within the US.
According to the US Census Bureau, the month-long period was set aside to,
“celebrate the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean.”
2021 Hispanic Heritage Month Theme
Every year The National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers (NCHEPM) chooses the theme and the poster that will represent Hispanic Heritage Month.
This year’s theme — “ESPERANZA: A CELEBRATION OF HISPANIC HERITAGE AND HOPE”
Here are the posters for this year! Click here to learn more about the artists
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Breadless Eggs Benedict
Eggs Benedict is my favorite breakfast…unfortunately, it can be heavy, fatty, and high in calories. This one gluten free, low carb, packed with fresh veggies and protein, and it fills my need for a good bene!
The Story
It’s Better Breakfast Month!
Eggs Benedict is my favorite breakfast…unfortunately, it can be heavy, fatty, and high in calories. So, of course I had to come up with a healthier version. This one gluten free, low carb, packed with fresh veggies and protein, and it fills my need for a good bene!
Inspired by a true California Benedict, this recipe uses fresh sliced tomatoes in place of the bread and is loaded with fresh spinach and a nice portion of avocado — which is a great source of healthy fat.
I love to make this for special occasions like Mother’s day or Easter breakfast, but it’s also fun for a Sunday brunch with a friend.
Ingredients:
4 Servings:
For the eggs benedict:
4 eggs
2 large tomatoes
1 avocado
1 pound fresh spinach
Salt and pepper to taste
For the hollandaise sauce:
4 egg yolks (in addition to the eggs above)
1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons melted unsalted grass-fed butter
½ cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Directions:
Sauce:
- Whisk egg yolks and lemon juice together in a small bowl until the mixture has thickened and doubled in volume (emulsified).
- Place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (you can use a double boiler, if you have one) and whisk quickly until warm. Be careful not to let the eggs get too hot or they will scramble.
- Slowly whisk in melted butter. It should be melted but not hot or the eggs will scramble.
- Remove from heat
- Whisk in greek yogurt and cayenne
- Set aside in a warm place until you are ready to use — be careful not to leave it on the stove as it will break if it gets too hot.
Eggs:
- Bring a sauce pan full of water to a boil. Add a splash of white vinegar. This will help keep the egg together.
- While water is heating, slice tomatoes and avocados and season with salt and pepper.
- Plate a slice or two of the tomatoes on each plate to use as the “bread” and add sliced avocado on top.
- Heat a non-stick skillet. Add spinach and toss until just wilted.
- Divide spinach into four portions and pile on top of each tomato avocado base. Set aside in a warmed oven. Oven should not be on, but just warmed to about 100 degrees to keep plates warm while you cook the eggs.
- Once water in sauce pan is simmering nicely, add eggs one at a time and poach until white is cooked but yoke is runny. About 2–3 minutes.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and set on a plate with a paper towel.
- Continue until all 4 eggs are cooked.
- Pull plates from the oven and add 1 egg to each stack.
- Top with hollandaise sauce and enjoy! Serve with Fresh berries or other fruit.
Modifications:
If the thought of making homemade hollandaise is terrifying (or too much work) you can easily substitute a premade or packaged version. Just be sure to carefully review the ingredients (especially the sodium level!). You can also get creative with the veggies, sometimes I make breadless crab cakes for the base!
Tips:
You can also poach your eggs in a skillet or frying pan if you prefer a flatter poached egg.
If you’ve never poached eggs before, find a good video to help you master the technique. It can be tricky, but seeing it done makes it a lot easier!
It’s best to crack each egg into a small bowl before pouring into the saucepan, that way you can get it in quickly and all at once.
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Every September individuals, communities, advocates, and organizations work to raise awareness and prevent suicide.
#SPM21 #BeThere #BeThe1To
“We can all help prevent suicide.”
Every September individuals, communities, advocates, and organizations work to raise awareness and prevent suicide. Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, National Suicide Prevention Awareness Week, and World Suicide Prevention Day all take place during September.
This years’ mission — change the conversation from suicide to suicide prevention.
Now, more than ever, people recognize the need to make suicide prevention a priority and are even ready to talk about their own mental health more openly. According to a 2020 national poll, the results
“underscore the importance of equipping all Americans with the tools and resources needed to feel empowered to have conversations about mental health and suicide prevention, and to take steps to care for their own mental health.”
What can you do to help?
As one of the leading causes of death, suicide affects everyone. And many of us struggle to know how we can help or feel like there is nothing we can do when someone we know is struggling.
But each of us can make a difference.
And there are so many resources and tools available to help.
With changes in the way we think and talk about mental health and suicide prevention, more and more people are sharing their experiences and reaching out. The pandemic and the toll it has taken on individuals has highlighted the need for resources and support. Especially for individuals who are most at risk.
This year, several advocacy groups and organizations have partnered to spread the message. Their goal is to raise awareness and help each of us learn how to find support or support someone who is struggling.
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Resources
Asking for support if you are struggling is difficult. And supporting someone who is struggling can be just as hard.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please reach out. Below is a list of resources for anyone thinking about suicide or struggling with mental health.
Resources
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1–800–273-TALK (8255)
Lifeline for Attempt Survivors
Lifeline for Disaster Survivors
National Alliance on Mental Health
Stories of Hope and Recovery: A Video Guide for Suicide Attempt Survivors | SAMHSA
Suicide Safe Mobile App | SAMHSA
The Trevor Project or Call 1–866–488–7386 or online instant messaging
SAGE LGBT Elder Hotline or Call 1–877–360-LGBT (5428)
Trans Lifeline or call 1–877–565–8860 (US) 1–877–330–6366 (Canada)
Suicide Prevention and Care, Indian Health Service
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
Resources for Veterans
Veteran Crisis Line Call 1–800–273–8255 and Press 1
VA Mental Health Suicide Prevention
Resources for Youth
#chatsafe: A Young Person’s Guide for Communicating Safely Online About Suicide (PDF | 6.7 MB)
Resources for Supporting Others
Help a Friend in Need: A Facebook and Instagram Guide (PDF | 524 KB)
https://www.wernative.org/articles/when-your-friend-is-talking-about-suicide
Preliminary Results from our Third COVID-19 Vaccination Perceptions and Behaviors Survey
COVID-19 continues to occupy our minds and affect our everyday lives. As vaccinations rolled out, questions emerged around what new directions the virus would take
COVID-19 continues to occupy our minds and affect our everyday lives. As vaccinations rolled out, questions emerged around what new directions the virus would take. For our third survey on COVID-19 Vaccination Perceptions and Behaviors (“Survey 3”), which was open between April and June 2021, we wanted to understand how people’s feelings and behaviors evolved as vaccination efforts continued in our communities.
We learned what percentage of members had gotten at least one vaccine, when they decided to get vaccinated, and what activities they felt comfortable resuming. The data also show interesting shifts in behaviors and mindsets compared to our previous surveys, and we’re excited to dive into some of the details with you below!
For an overview of the study objectives, methods, and results from the first perceptions and behaviors survey, please see our original blog post here. You can find the preliminary results from our second perceptions and behaviors survey here.
Background
74,740 people (“participants”) completed Survey 3. The average age of participants was 39.1, which is slightly higher than the previous surveys. Most participants identified as female (80.7%) and identified as white (79.6%).
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Vaccination Perceptions and Behaviors
The main focus for this survey was to examine people’s beliefs and preferences around COVID-19 vaccination now that access to the vaccine is more widespread.
72.6% of Survey 3 participants reported having received at least one COVID-19 vaccine.
This percentage represents a substantial increase compared to our last survey, in which only 11.4% of participants had received a vaccine. We expected to see an increase since more people were eligible for vaccination during Survey 3 than in Survey 2 (which launched in January 2021), but were surprised by the magnitude: for comparison, only about 63% of the US adult population had received at least one vaccine when the survey closed (see here for the CDC’s summary of COVID and US vaccination in early June).
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A majority of vaccinated participants received the Pfizer vaccine (53.8%), followed by Moderna (39.2%) and Johnson & Johnson (6.7%).
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Most vaccinated participants were eager to get the vaccine as soon as they became eligible. (63.3%).
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For many people, increasing access to COVID-19 vaccination was accompanied by a return to certain activities that had been put on hold. Between April and June, 47% of vaccinated participants started attending indoor events with others who are vaccinated, and 43.9% began eating in restaurants again. Meanwhile, 15.9% of participants reported that they had not yet resumed any activities.
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Changing Trends Over Time
We were happy to see a number of positive trends when we looked at evolving perceptions throughout the three surveys we’ve completed in the series so far. For example, Survey 3 participants tended to report lower hesitancy about COVID-19 vaccines compared to previous surveys.
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This decrease in hesitancy may be due to an increase in information: Survey 3 participants reported feeling even more informed about the vaccines than previous survey participants. 68.9% of people reported feeling “informed” or “very informed”, compared with 53.3% in Survey 2 and 27.1% in Survey 1.
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Participants also reported being increasingly likely to get their children vaccinated when they could. 37.2% of participants reported that they would vaccinate their children when they were able to, compared to 26.9% in Survey 2 and 19.2% in Survey 1.
We look forward to exploring more about decisions to vaccinate children in our next Perceptions and Behaviors survey.
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Next Steps
To understand how people’s perceptions and behaviors related to COVID-19 vaccination have continued to evolve as variants spread and vaccines became available to children, we will soon send an additional survey on Evidation Members’ perceptions and behaviors. Stay tuned for more!
If you’d like to get vaccinated, see this CDC page with resources to find appointments near you.
Grilled Peaches and Pork Chops
This light summer meal is perfect for an easy weekday meal or serving to company,
It’s National Peach Month!
That means there are tons of recipes out there using peaches, so why one more?
Easy.
This one is different. Why? Because as you may have noticed from the title, it’s a savory dish. And it’s super easy to make, doesn’t heat up the house, and it’s healthy!
Perfect for an easy weekday meal or serving to company, it’s one of my favorite summer dishes!
The peaches give it a slight sweetness, but balanced with the pork chops and onions, it’s a truly satisfying meal.
It’s also naturally gluten-free and paleo. And if you watch how many of the peaches you eat, fits well into a keto meal plan as well.
I like to make this when I have friends over for a quick, easy BBQ because total prep and cooking time is about half an hour. I usually serve it with a light salad.
Ingredients
- Bone-in thin-cut pork chops (you really want the thin, fattier cuts for this so they’ll cook quickly and avoid drying out!) I use rib chops.
- Peaches (They should still be firm, not quite ripe is best!)
- Red onion
- Other vegetables as desired for grilling (I like summer squash with this recipe)
- Olive Oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
Directions
- Season the pork chops with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to taste then drizzle with olive oil and let sit to marinade.
- Slice peaches and onions (and other vegetables) in ¼ inch thick slices (same way you would cut onion or tomato for a hamburger!)
- Spread peaches and veggies out in a single layer on a tray or sheet pan, then season with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil.
- Make sure your grill is nice and hot (I prefer a hot grill 450–500 degrees)
- Grill pork chops until desired temp (I prefer medium for pork)
- Grill peaches and onions (and any other veggies) until tender and caramelized
- Serve immediately!
Modifications
You can always substitute nectarines if you don’t have peaches. White onions or green onions work just as well as the red! You can also leave out the garlic and/or onion powder if you don’t eat those foods, really the pork is tasty enough without it!
Tips
Don’t overcook the pork! These cuts can dry out quickly, so be sure to keep a close eye on them.
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Can Pain Really Affect Your Mood?
Over 20% of adults in the US are living with chronic pain. Chronic pain is linked to high medical costs, opioid use, missed work, and decreased quality of life.
Pain is something we all experience from time to time, but for some people it’s a daily occurrence.
And the toll is not just physical, individuals with chronic pain suffer a variety of mental health effects as well.
According to the CDC, chronic pain is one of the most common reasons adults seek medical care.
In 2016, they estimated that over 20% of adults in the US were living with chronic pain. And, since chronic pain is linked to high medical costs, opioid use, missed work, and decreased quality of life — it can take a huge toll on mental health.
Pain and Mental Health
Long-term or chronic pain can be physically debilitating and significantly alter quality of life. But the mental health effects are just as serious, and often overlooked.
To find out how much impact pain has on mood, we launched a study in 2018 to look at real-life effects in people with chronic pain. In this year-long study, we sent out surveys every 3-months asking about pain, mental health, and how much each person’s pain interfered with activities of daily life.
For the study to be valid, we had to ask individuals with chronic pain and those without the same questions.
As expected, those who identified as having chronic pain had higher pain levels over time than the group of participants without chronic pain.
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Individuals with chronic pain also reported higher levels of anxiety and depression.
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And, the people who said that their pain interfered with their quality of life, activities, and relationships, also had more depression and anxiety symptoms.
What does that mean?
Well, it tells us that physical pain and the effects of this pain on our lives may have real impact on our mental health as well.
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What can we take away from this? Chronic pain is a major challenge for many. And the challenges that people with chronic pain face may have a big impact on their physical and mental health.
By understanding how chronic pain interferes with daily living, we can work to help those living with it improve their mental health and live happier lives.
Are you on Track to Meet your 2021 Goals?
Tips for reaching your 2021 goals
Can you believe we’re halfway through 2021?
That means it’s time to check in with ourselves and think about how close we are to reaching our goals.
Every year, millions of Americans celebrate the new year by making a resolution. Some focus on health, others relationships, finances, or personal growth.
Whatever resolution you make, the idea is to work on some aspect in your life you want to improve!
Setting and reaching goals in empowering.
But often we struggle to meet these types of goals. This can lead to disappointment and feelings of failure. But, the progress is what’s important — not just the result!
No matter how behind you may feel on reaching your goals, it’s not too late to start now! And if you’ve already made progress, staying motivated is a sure way to finish strong.
So, we’d like to share a few ideas to help you on your journey!
5 Tips for Reaching your 2021 Goals
- Focus on what you have accomplished this year! One of the best ways to stay motivated is to focus on what we have accomplished instead of what we have left to do.
- Change up your routine! Routines are how a lot of us get through the day, but this can lead to repeating the same bad habits over and over. Switching things up can be a great way to find new opportunities to meet your goals.
- Take time to recharge! Stress and daily life can sometimes leave us drained. Taking time to recharge — whether that means taking time off work, spending more time with family, or getting outside for some fresh air — is like hitting the reset button. Rather than being time wasted, this is time well spent!
- Create a plan! Having a plan for how to achieve your goals makes it a lot easier to start taking steps in the right direction.
- Be understanding! Setting goals is important to our growth. And being able to reach them is great. But sometimes, we just don’t get there. That’s okay! The best way to move forward is to be understanding of your own struggles and forgive yourself for not reaching your goals. That way instead of seeing these instances as a failure, they become an opportunity for learning more about ourselves. And that always leads to growth!
After all, as the author Stephen McCranie says,
“The master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried!”
How Important are Eye Exams Really?
More and more people are skipping their annual eye exams despite knowing the importance of them. Learn how to keep your eyes healthy.
They say the eyes are the windows to the soul.
They’re also how many of us observe the world around us.
So keeping them healthy is super important!
4 Tips for Keeping your Eyes Healthy
- Protect your eyes from sun damage! UV light can damage your eyes. Be sure to wear sunglasses with UV protection and wear a hat if you’re going to be out in the sun for a while.
- Step away from the screen! Too much screen time can have lasting effects on your eyes. Take breaks and use blue light filters if you can.
- Eat healthy! Proper nutrients and healthy fats like Omega-3 are great for your eye health. Eating a balanced diet rich in these foods is an easy way to help maintain eye health.
- Stay up-to-date on regular eye exams! Eye exams are just as important as other health screening routines, so be sure to get your eyes checked by an optometrist or ophthalmologist every year.
Want to learn more about what you can do to keep your eyes healthy? Click here for tips for the National Eye Institute.
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3 Reasons Regular Eye Exams are Important
- Early diagnosis! Eye Exams can detect some major eye health issues like glaucoma or cataracts before you have symptoms. And early diagnosis can make a huge difference in treatment options.
- Better performance at work or school! Even minor vision issues can significantly impact how well you do at work or school. And for children, the effects are drastic. Vision problems can have long-term effects on education if not caught early.
- Detect other health issues! Eye exams can help detect and monitor other health issues like diabetes and thyroid disease — just another reason eye exams are crucial to maintaining good health.
Eye Exam Statistics
According to a 2018 study conducted by VSP Vision Care and YouGov, more and more people are skipping their annual eye exams despite knowing the importance of them!
By the numbers: The importance of eye exams
8 in 10 people (84 percent) rate vision as the most important sense, and nearly everyone (97 percent) agrees that having healthy eyes is important, but only half of people get annual eye exams.
Virtually no one (1 percent) knows that signs of serious diseases and conditions like high blood pressure, autoimmune disorders, thyroid diseases, and certain types of cancers can be detected through an eye exam.
6 in 10 (61 percent) people worry about diabetes impacting their family’s health, but only 4 percent know that eye doctors can detect signs of diabetes through an eye exam.
More than two-thirds of parents worry about their children’s eye health more than their own, but only 12 percent of parents know children should receive their first eye exam at six months old.
After learning about the importance of annual eye exams, 9 in 10 (90 percent) survey respondents agree on the importance of annual eye exams.
How do Evidation Members Compare?
We asked our Evidation Members if they’d had an eye exam this year. What did they say?
Well, out of the 17,496 people who responded, Over 10,000 said yes — that’s over 57%!
So, while the majority of respondents have, it’s a small majority. Which means it’s important for us to share posts like this to help remind everyone — if you haven’t had your exam this year, schedule one now.
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