Turmeric Can Naturally Treat and Prevent Eye Conditions

• Risk Factors for Blindness
• How Can Turmeric Help?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 300 million people in the world suffer from some degree of vision loss. The good news is that nutrients can help, according to a 10-year clinical trial. In this prospective study, participants were randomly assigned to take either vitamin supplements or placebo. They were then assessed to see the effects of the nutrients on eyesight over time. The study was actually ended early because the benefit from certain vitamins and minerals was so significant. Turmeric contains 2 of the nutrients (vitamin C and vitamin E) from the above studies, as well as many others. Other research indicates turmeric and a number of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds could also help prevent or slow the progression of certain eye conditions. ^{(viii.46, 59-64)}

According to WHO, the following eye conditions are the most common direct causes of vision loss: ^(viii.59)

Risk Factors for Eye Conditions that Can Cause Blindness

A combination of age, environmental, lifestyle, health, and dietary factors increase the risk of developing serious eye conditions, including: ^{(viii.59, 65-68)}

• Diabetes.
• Heart disease (e.g., high blood pressure).
• Chronic exposure to bright light.
• Low levels of dietary antioxidants (especially vitamin A).
• Smoking.

All of these risk factors cause inflammation and produce excess free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that cause damage to cells. ^{(viii.59, 68)}

In fact, diabetes is one of the most common underlying factors in eye conditions that cause blindness in adults living in westernized countries. The connection between these diseases goes as deep as the genetic level. Some of the genes activated in these diseases are also related to genes expressed in the eye. ^{(viii.59, 69)}

Prevention and Treatment

Eye diseases caused by parasites or bacteria can be treated with medication (and surgery, if necessary). However, most eye conditions are expensive and hard to successfully treat. ^(viii.59)

This means it's important to be proactive and try to prevent these diseases by making dietary and lifestyle changes. Preventing and treating chronic conditions that can cause eye disease (such as diabetes) is also crucial to keeping your eyes healthy. ^(viii.59)

How Can Turmeric Help?

Studies suggest that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds in turmeric may help prevent or treat various eye diseases, including: ^{(viii.61, 64, 70)}

• Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) ^{(viii.61, 66, 67, 71)}
• Cataracts ^{(viii.61, 63, 66)}
• Chorioretinopathy ^(viii.72)
• Diabetic Retinopathy ^(viii.73-75)
• Glaucoma ^{(viii.61, 68)}
• Uveitis ^(viii.61)

Some of turmeric's compounds may even help protect against eye damage caused by smoking cigarettes. ^(viii.66)