June 26, 2019 - Nutrition
Hey folks, it’s Dr. Sam. I received a question today: how do low magnesium levels affect our eye health?
Well, according to the NIH and one of their studies, they found that about 75% of all Americans are deficient in magnesium. So what about our eyes?
In 2010, there was a study published in the European Journal of Ophthalmology. Researchers studied the effect of oral magnesium on our retinal circulation and our visual fields. In the study, they took 30 subjects. Fifteen of whom received 300 mg of oral magnesium for one month, while the other 15 subjects didn’t receive the treatment. And the group that received the magnesium treatment scored much higher in terms of their visual fields, and their retinal circulation. They concluded that if you’re diagnosed with glaucoma or other retinal vascular diseases, magnesium should be something you should include in your diet.
Glutamate and Magnesium
I’d like to talk a minute about the relationship between a neurotransmitter called glutamate and magnesium.
When glutamate levels are high in terms of our retinal circulation, and our optic nerve, this neurotransmitter can actually cause neurotoxicity and even cell death. If you have optimal levels of magnesium, it actually blocks the release of glutamate. So this is another reason why you want to have good magnesium levels as a way to prevent neurotoxicity and cell death.
Causes of Magnesium Deficiency
- Taking antacids
- Antibiotics
- ADHD drugs
- Corticosteroids
- Blood pressure medications.
Best foods for Magnesium
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Coconut yogurt
- Spinach
- Wild caught salmon
- Pumpkin seeds.
So remember your magnesium as part of your overall strategy in improving your eye health.
That’s my message for today. Thank you so much for tuning in. Take care.