Glaucoma is a slowly progressing disease that causes damage to the eye's optic nerve and can result in blindness. There are usually no early symptoms, half of the people with this disease don't know they have it. With early treatment, serious vision loss and blindness can usually be prevented.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a comprehensive treatment plan for glaucoma may include a range of complementary and alternative therapies such as nutritional changes, supplements, herbs, and homeopathy. As with any therapy, you should speak with your health care provider before starting any treatment.
Nutrition Tips
1. Eliminate all suspected food allergens, including dairy, wheat (gluten), soy, corn, preservatives, and food additives. Your health care provider may want to test you for food allergies.
2. Eat more antioxidant rich foods (such as green, leafy vegetables and peppers) and fruits (such as blueberries, tomatoes, and cherries). Some studies show that a higher intake of fruits and vegetables is associated with a lower risk of glaucoma.
3. Avoid refined foods, such as white bread, pasta, and sugar.
4. Eat fewer red meats and more lean meats such as cold water fish or beans for protein.
5. Use healthy oils in foods, such as olive oil.
6. Reduce or eliminate trans fatty acids, found in such commercially baked goods as cookies, crackers, cakes, French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, and margarine.
7. Avoid coffee and other stimulants, alcohol, and tobacco.
8. Drink 6 - 8 glasses of filtered water daily.
9. Exercise moderately, if tolerated, 5 days a week.
Supplements That May Help With Glaucoma and address nutritional deficiencies
1. A daily multivitamin, containing the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, the B-complex vitamins and trace minerals such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, and selenium.
2. Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, 1 - 2 capsules or 1 tablespoonful oil daily, to help decrease inflammation. Fish oils may increase bleeding in sensitive individuals, such as those taking blood thinning medications (including aspirin).
3. Vitamin C, 500 - 1,000 mg daily, as an antioxidant.
4. Coenzyme Q10, 100 - 200 mg at bedtime, for antioxidant support.
5. Alpha-lipoic acid, 25 - 50 mg twice daily, for antioxidant support.
6. Lutein, 2 - 6 mg daily, for antioxidant support in eye health.
Herbs are generally a safe way to strengthen and tone the body's systems and can help with glaucoma as well
1. Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) standardized extract, 80 mg 2 - 3 times daily, for antioxidant and vision support. Bilberry may interact with diabetes medication and may increase the effect of blood thinning medications, such as aspirin and Coumadin.
2. Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) standardized extract, 40 - 80 mg 3 times daily, for antioxidant and immune support. Ginkgo may increase bleeding in sensitive individuals, such as those taking blood thinning medications (including aspirin).
3. Green tea (Camellia sinensis) standardized extract, 250 - 500 mg daily, for antioxidant and immune effects. Use caffeine free products. You may also prepare teas from the leaf of this herb.
Homeopathy
An experienced homeopath such as Sima Ash could prescribe a regimen for treating glaucoma that is designed especially for you. Some of the most common acute remedies include:
- 1. Phosphorus for vertigo
- 2. Physostigma for muscle spasms and neurological problems
- 3. Spigelia for sharp pains
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