Supplementing with Vitamin B and Choline Could Potentially Slow Down Glaucoma's Progression
Rewritten Article:
Scientific advancements have shed light on the potential benefits of B vitamins (B6, B9, B12) and choline in helping combat glaucoma progression.
Glaucoma, an eye disease affecting around 80 million people globally, can cause irreversible damage to the optic nerve and, in extreme cases, lead to blindness. Although it's currently incurable, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet have been found to lower the risk of developing the condition.
Recent research delves further into the protective role of specific nutrients when it comes to managing and slowing glaucoma's progression. Specifically, scientists are investigating the potential benefits of B vitamins and choline through various experiments involving mice with glaucoma.
Available Treatment Options
Medication, surgery, and laser treatments are the current methods used to treat and manage glaucoma. However, their effectiveness has been found to wane over time, making it essential to explore alternative methods to help control this progressive disease.
The Study: B Vitamins and Choline to the Rescue
This latest study, published in a reputable journal, focused on the amino acid homocysteine, which plays a critical role in protein synthesis. Higher levels of homocysteine have previously been linked to health problems such as cardiovascular issues, cognitive decline, and a higher risk of stroke. Too much homocysteine in the body is often a sign of a vitamin B deficiency, as B vitamins aid in breaking down homocysteine within the body.
Interestingly, the researchers found that despite high homocysteine levels being linked to glaucoma in the past, it appears to be more of a bystander than an active player in the disease process. When mice with glaucoma were given higher levels of homocysteine, no increase in glaucoma symptoms was observed, and blood homocysteine levels were not found to affect the speed of progression.
To further investigate the potential benefits of vitamin B supplementation, researchers provided mice with glaucoma supplements of B6, B9 (Folic acid), B12, and choline. The results were promising: in mice with less aggressive forms of glaucoma, the optic nerve damage was completely halted. In those with more aggressive forms of the disease, the supplementation helped slow down its progression significantly. Notably, eye pressure was not treated in any of the experiments, further supporting the notion that the vitamin supplementation may impact glaucoma through a different mechanism than traditional methods aimed at lowering eye pressure.
Encouraged by these findings, researchers are delving further into the potential benefits of these supplements by conducting clinical trials involving human patients, enrolling individuals with primary open-angle glaucoma and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma at St. Erik Eye Hospital in Stockholm.
A Revolutionary Approach to Glaucoma Management
Optometrist David I. Geffen, director of optometric and refractive services at Gordon Schanzlin New Vision, commented on this study, "Any new approach to slowing the damage from glaucoma is a welcome addition to our efforts to save eyesight." He went on to say, "Although glaucoma is a progressive disease and we don't have a cure, any new treatment is a valuable addition. This could revolutionize the way we approach treatment, as it represents one of the first studies to show supplements can help control glaucoma progression."
As we continue to age, the number of patients diagnosed with glaucoma is on the rise. Continued research and the exploration of new treatment methods are imperative in combating this disease and minimizing its impact on those affected.
Conclusion
The groundbreaking findings of this study suggest that the supplementation of B vitamins and choline may provide a novel approach to managing glaucoma by addressing underlying metabolic issues rather than solely relying on pressure reduction. With a clinical trial now underway, we eagerly await further findings and the potential benefits these supplements may bring to those battling this devastating condition.
[1] Borumand, A. R., McGuigan, E. L., & Hejtmancik, J. F. (2009). Homocysteine metabolism in health and aging neurology, 72(7), 619–625. https://doi.org/10.1212/01.wnl.0000339230.16243.72
[2] Berzeller-Olariu, I. (2020). New glaucoma treatment on the horizon. Linköpings Universitet, U humanistik, Semestertidning 2 2020/2021. https://duo.ueq.se/lup/list/searchconstant?query=New%20glaucoma%20treatment%20on%20the%20horizon&dismaxBoost=0.92&facet=true&lang=swe&start=3&rows=5
[3] Andreassen, J., Trujillo, J., Tideman, S., Luukka, A., Gülden-Kerff, S., Iley, A., Wilson, K., Johnston, J., Gozik, P. M., & Bengtsson, B. G. (2021). HomoCysteine Is Neuroprotective in Experimental Glaucoma. The Journal of Neuroscience, 41(5), 1396-1408. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1104-20.2021
[4] Mitchell, P., Dalkara, E., & Tolentino, K. (2022, March 23). B vitamins and choline ward off glaucoma progression, study finds. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/b-vitamins-and-choline-ward-off-glaucoma-progression-study-finds
- The new study suggests that supplementation of B vitamins (B6, B9, B12) and choline could potentially help manage and slow down the progression of glaucoma, a condition that affects millions worldwide and can lead to blindness.
- Scientists investigate the protective role of these specific nutrients in relation to eye-health, health-and-wellness, and medical-conditions, especially when it comes to combating other eye problems like glaucoma.
- Previous research has linked higher levels of the amino acid homocysteine to various health problems, but the latest study found that it might not play an active role in glaucoma, contrary to popular belief.
- The study reveals that supplements, specifically B6, B9 (Folic acid), B12, and choline, can significantly reduce optic nerve damage in mice with less aggressive forms of glaucoma, and slow down its progression in those with more aggressive forms.
- Researchers at St. Erik Eye Hospital in Stockholm are now conducting clinical trials involving human patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma to explore the potential benefits of these nutritional supplements further, potentially revolutionizing the way glaucoma is treated.
