Jim Golick CCN, LDN
Key Point: Eye Problems Reflect Problems Elsewhere in the Body  

 

1. General dietary causes of poor health and vision problems:
 

 a. Sugar (lacking in nutrients)
 b. Refined grains, i.e. white flour etc. (lacking nutrients)
 c. Caffeine- (coffee and colas)  nicotine-- restricts capillary blood flow
 d. Excess saturated and hydrogenated/trans fats in junk/ fast food
 e. Aspartame, preservatives, artificial colors, etc.  (strain liver detox)
 f. Heavy metals: arsenic, lead, cadmium, mercury, aluminum
  
2. General dietary measures for good health and eyes

1. Abundant fruits and vegetables (> 5-a-day) (esp blueberries, spinach, tomatoes, garlic, avocado, onions)
2. Antioxidants: C, E, beta carotene, selenium, zinc, NAC, GSH,
3. Essential Fatty Acids (esp. salmon and sardines, flax seeds/oil)
4. Minerals (esp. zinc, magnesium, selenium, copper,
5. Multi-Vitamins
6. Water

 

ARMD-- Age Related Macular Degeneration

Macula occupies only 2% of the visual field, but contains 25% of the cone cells (photoreceptors for day vision). Macula contains a lot of yellow pigments. These are derived form 2 dietary carotenoids- lutein and zeaxanthin, which are found abundantly in spinach, eggs,

 

1. Related to poor circulation, especially to the retina, and overall poor nutrition/ low AOX status.

a. Wet -10%. Severe, rapid progression, hemorrhage
b. Dry -90%. More gradual. Waste products can’t be eliminated quickly enough due to lack of AOX
c. Increase fruits, veggies, spinach and sardines.
d. Eye Support Vitamins

 

1. Free radical damage due to sunlight, medications, aging, chemicals, diabetes, smoking, alcohol, poor digestion, trans fats
a. Increase fruits, veggies, esp spinach.
b. Glutathione, SOD, vit C, beta carotene, E, biotin, riboflavin/B-2, ALA, quercetin
c. Eye Support Vitamins

 

Dry Eyes

 

1. Causes

a. Medications: antihistamines, antidepressants, diuretics, several high blood pressure meds
b. Dehydration due to lack of water
c. Excess caffeine, cigarettes, diet pop, etc.
d. A/C or heating
e. Contact lenses
f. Diabetes/ high blood sugar

 

2. Diet/ Nutritional Solutions (often related to arthritis)

 

a. Possible nightshade sensitivity—avoid tomatoes, potatoes, bell peppers, eggplant)
b. Possible allergy to wheat? Dairy? Try avoiding and observe
c. Increase EFA’s through fatty fish, flax seed oil/fish oil, Cod liver oil
d. Try Hyaluronic acid- natural “water sponge” abundant in cells of eyes, lungs, joints, skin, etc.
e. AOX
f.  Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc
g. Vitamin A 10,000 -25,000 IU

 

Glaucoma

a. Related to Related to CHF, COPD, stress, lack of blood flow, causing damage to capillaries around optic nerve.
b. If no blood reaches the retina, sight can eventually be lost.
c. Reduce stressors and dietary factors such as caffeine, nicotine, sugar, etc. 
d. EFA’s, AOX, Multi, B-complex, magnesium, zinc
e. Eye Support Vitamins

 

a. Increase blueberries, or take bilberry capsules
b. Increase fruits and veggies, (esp. carrots and spinach) or take natural beta carotene
c. Eye Support Vitamins

 

Twitching Eyelids
Try magnesium

 

Recommended Reading
The Eye Care Revolution, Robert Able, Jr., M.D. , Kensington Books, 1999