Behind your iris you have a natural lens that directs light onto the back of your eye. As you age, the lens may start to turn cloudy -- a condition called cataracts. This may result in decreased visual acuity, and in advanced stages, you may need surgery to improve your vision. To avoid an invasive procedure, some people think that minerals such as magnesium may help. However, magnesium does not have any known effect in the prevention of cataracts.
Cause
The natural lens consists mostly of proteins and water, and cataracts form when the protein structures break down and cause multiple proteins to clump together. This leads to clouding of the lens and vision changes. The breakdown may result from cell-damaging oxidation.
Magnesium
Magnesium is an important mineral in the body, contributing to bone health and the regulation of many nutrient levels in your body. Despite the importance of magnesium to your body, your doctor will not likely recommend magnesium for cataracts. If you feel that you wish to increase or change your magnesium intake, discuss this with your doctor. She can give you a recommendation and also inform you of any potential risks associated with a high magnesium intake.
Other Nutrients
Magnesium may not provide you with the necessary protection against cataracts, but other nutrients may help you protect your eyes. Lutein is a pigment found in foods such as kale and spinach, and the antioxidants in lutein may help prevent the breakdown of the proteins due to oxidation. Vitamin C is another antioxidant nutrient, and foods rich in this vitamin include apples, oranges and spinach. Zinc may also help prevent macular degeneration, and food sources include beef, oysters and eggs.
Considerations
Talk with your doctor before starting supplements such as magnesium or before you make significant dietary changes. Your doctor may recommend a supplement designed specifically for eye health, and these supplements typically contain all of the nutrients known to promote healthy eyes. If you take certain medications or have health conditions that prevent you from using certain types of supplements, your doctor may have alternative prevention methods to share with you.
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