One of the leading types of eye disease is glaucoma. Certain nutritional factors can have a bearing on the incidence and progression of glaucoma. Here, we look at the causes and effects of glaucoma, and discuss four suitable supplements which could help mitigate or prevent this deplorable disease.
A Brief Glance at Glaucoma
Glaucoma refers to a group of diseases which exist as a result of pressure that has built up inside the eyeball. It is usually a progressive disease that causes damage to delicate parts of the eye, and it can result in partial or entire blindness if left untreated.
Most cases of glaucoma are treatable. However, many cases do not show symptoms initially. That is especially true with open-angle glaucoma, the predominant type of this disease. For this reason, a large portion of people with glaucoma do not realize they have it until a marginal or even significant amount of vision loss has occurred. Symptoms, when they do occur, include pain and pressure in the eye, headaches, blurred or impaired vision. Other forms of glaucoma can be acute and necessitate immediate medical treatment in order to prevent vision loss.
Because of the damaging nature of glaucoma, it is very important to detect and treat glaucoma before vision is impaired. If you even suspect you could have glaucoma, consult your healthcare provider. He or she can provide one or more visual and/or physiological tests to detect glaucoma well ahead of symptoms and vision impairment. Treatment to reduce eye pressure can include prescription medication, and in some cases, surgery.
Supplements for Mitigating Glaucoma
If you have been diagnosed with glaucoma, you will want to take measures to manage and/or treat it so that it does not progress. One aspect of doing so is to make healthy lifestyle decisions that benefit your body. Certain dietary supplements have properties that can mitigate glaucoma and the conditions that lead to it:
Magnesium is a crucial mineral which helps improve ocular blood flow, which could help improve the eye condition of someone with glaucoma. Magnesium also has neuroprotective properties that can help prevent glaucoma.
Pyruvate is a biological molecule available as a singular supplement, and research shows it could potentially help reduce the intraocular pressure that leads to glaucoma. Its benefit comes from the support it provides to cellular mitochondria in the eye, by supporting the production of the molecule NAD. Without enough NAD, mitochondria dysfunction could occur, which contributes to glaucoma. Taking a pyruvate supplement could prevent this.
Ginkgo biloba is a plant-derived supplement and has various properties which make it valuable in mitigating glaucoma. Like pyruvate, ginkgo biloba contains natural compounds that can help stabilize mitochondria in the eye. These compounds also have neuroprotective properties and support blood flow to the eye. Research shows that ginkgo biloba could help slow the vision loss associated with glaucoma.
Omega-3 fatty acids have many benefits. For the eyes, omega-3s provide help by supporting blood flow to the optic nerve. In turn, this can help to reduce accrued pressure within the eye. Because of this, omega-3 fatty acids are important nutrients for those who have been diagnosed or might already have glaucoma.
If you or a loved one have glaucoma or believe that you could have glaucoma, then these supplements are absolutely worth your consideration. It’s recommended that you always talk to your healthcare provider before taking a supplement for the first time.