Supplementing with Vitamin B and Choline may potentially slow down the advancement of Glaucoma.
Eye disease called glaucoma can damage your optic nerve and result in blindness, affecting around 80 million people globally. While there's no cure, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and consumption of specific nutrients could help reduce your risk.
Researches have long connected certain nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B3, vitamin A, vitamin C, and antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin with protecting eyes from glaucoma.
A recent study published in the journal has added to this body of knowledge by suggesting that supplementation with B vitamins (including B6, B9 (folate), and B12) together with choline may help slow the progression of glaucoma, as demonstrated in a mouse model.
The researchers focused on an amino acid called homocysteine, which plays a vital role in protein synthesis but can lead to health issues when found in excessive amounts. High levels of homocysteine might be linked to glaucoma development and progression, yet this new study reports that increased homocysteine levels do not worsen glaucoma or accelerate its progression.
Researchers concluded that homocysteine is not a significant player in the disease process but may merely indicate a deficiency in vital nutrients needed by the retina to maintain healthy metabolism. Subsequent experiments showed that supplements of these vitamins could potentially protect the retina.
Surprisingly, the vitamin supplementation seemed to impact glaucoma differently than traditional treatments focused on lowering eye pressure. Researchers believe that this could signify a new pathway for treating glaucoma. They plan to conduct clinical trials on human subjects to test their findings.
Optometrists commented that any new treatment that aims at decreasing glaucoma damage could be revolutionary, especially as there's a considerable increase in the number of glaucoma patients due to an aging population. In the future, we might witness further studies investigating other supplements and longer-term experiments with patients.
Eventually, discoveries like these could provide new hope for innovative glaucoma treatments beyond traditional methods, offering a possible cure for this persistent eye disease.
- Supplements containing B vitamins (including B6, B9, B12, and folate) along with choline may help slow the progression of glaucoma, according to a recent study.
- Researchers found that while high levels of homocysteine might be linked to glaucoma development and progression, increased levels do not worsen glaucoma or accelerate its progression.
- The study suggests that homocysteine is not a significant player in the disease process but may indicate a deficiency in vital nutrients needed by the retina to maintain healthy metabolism.
- Subsequent experiments showed that supplements of these vitamins could potentially protect the retina, offering a new pathway for treating glaucoma.
- Researchers plan to conduct clinical trials on human subjects to test their findings, hoping to offer a possible cure for this persistent eye disease beyond traditional methods.
