Natural Ways To Prevent Glaucoma

Posted on: 10 January 2018

If you have a history of glaucoma in your family, you may be wondering what you can do to prevent yourself from falling victim to this disease. While there is medication that your doctor can give you once the diagnosis of glaucoma has been made, it is wise for you to try to prevent the disease naturally while you can. Here are some ways in which you can naturally reduce your chances of getting glaucoma.

Take An Omega-3 Fat Supplement

Omega-3 fatty acids help to keep the retina of your eyes healthy because they contain a substance known as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). This acid is highly concentrated in the retina and helps to prevent macular degeneration that can lead to blindness. Omega-3 fatty acids can be taken as a supplement or you can get it from food. Foods that have a high concentration of Omega-3 fatty acid are Walnuts, mackerel, salmon, and sardines. Chia seeds and flaxseeds are also great sources of Omega-3 fatty acids.

Get Lutein In Your Diet

You may not have heard of this nutrient but you should familiarize yourself with it because it is good at preventing glaucoma. Lutein is a carotenoid that is found in green leafy vegetables. It is an effective antioxidant that protects the cells in the eye from damage. You can get lots of lutein by eating spinach, broccoli, collard greens and kale.

Keep Your Insulin Level Down

High insulin levels cause your blood pressure to rise and it also affects your eye pressure negatively and this can lead to glaucoma. In order to prevent this from happening, it is best to avoid foods that contain high amounts of sugar. You should also avoid organic grains because they usually break down into sugars. The organic grains that break down into sugars are rice, pasta, and cereal. Try to limit or avoid these in your diet.

Eat Dark Berries

Dark berries contain bioflavonoids that help to prevent macular degeneration. Bioflavonoids strengthen the capillaries that bring nutrients to the muscle and nerves in your eye.  Good sources of bioflavonoids are bilberry, cranberries, and blueberries. However, you should avoid eating these excessively, since they have natural sugars that can affect your insulin levels. When you eat these berries do so in moderation.

Being proactive in preventing glaucoma will not only save your eyes but will also save you from spending a lot of money on glaucoma treatment. 

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