Eating keto diet lowers the risk of glaucoma

Contents

In first of its type study was conducted by researchers at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai (NYEE). Found that the following low carbohydrate diet (Keto diet) which is high in protein and fat may lower the risk of Glaucoma.

Glaucoma is the major reason for blindness in the United States

The more common type is primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). POAG is the leading cause of optic nerve degeneration with the level of pressure inside the eye. But other factors contribute to this condition as well.

“A diet high in carbohydrates and low in protein and fats cause the production of metabolites. Favorable for mitochondrion-rich optic nerve head. Which is the site of damage in POAG. This pattern of high carbohydrates patters also showed favorable results for epilepsy. and showed some results for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases,” said co-corresponding author Louis R. Pasquale, MD, FARVO, Deputy Chair for Ophthalmology Research for the Mount Sinai Health System.

“It’s important to note that a low-carbohydrate diet(keto diet) won’t stop glaucoma progression. If you already have it, but it may be a means to preventing glaucoma in high-risk groups. If more patients. in these high-risk categories-including those with a family history of glaucoma-adhered to this diet, there might be fewer cases of vision loss.”

The study also says that The keto diet (low-carbohydrates and high-fat). Has shown to have a protective effect against neurological disorders in past studies. Results Ketone bodies (energy compounds produced as the body metabolizes fats) are replacing with glucose as the major source of energy for the brain. And using more of these under the ketogenic diet can improve function and slow neuronal degeneration. However, more recent studies have shown that a low-carbohydrate diet does not restrict protein. Or total calories may have similar neuroprotective properties.

Conclusion

This study concludes that patients in the low-carbohydrate diet group with increased plant-based fat and protein are linked in a 20 percent lower risk of relating to paracentral visual field loss POAG subtype. When comparing with the high-carbohydrate consuming group. However, the researchers did not find any relation between POAG and a low-carbohydrate diet. And without accounting for the source protein or fat. They did not find any link between glaucoma and an animal-based low-carbohydrate diet.

Their findings suggest vegetable sources may be more beneficial than animal sources. Considering for a low-carbohydrate diet concerning reducing the risk of the specific glaucoma subtype with early paracentral visual loss.