Muscles in the eyelid control the up and down movement of the lid, but these muscles may also have small spasms that cause twitching. A person talking to you will not typically notice the twitch, even though you may feel as if the spasm attracts attention. In most cases, these twitches do not indicate a problem and should not require treatment. In some cases, however, nutrition could play a role in preventing twitches or reducing associated symptoms.
Causes
An eyelid twitch may stem from products you consume such as caffeinated foods and drinks or alcoholic beverages. If you have irritation or inflammation on the surface of your eyes or the tissue lining under your eyelids, this may also contribute to spasms in the lid muscles. Low levels of magnesium in your system could impact muscle function and result in the twitches. Other factors include lack of sleep, exertion and stress.
Magnesium
Magnesium performs a number of functions that help your body, and if you do not reach the necessary intake, this could lead to a deficiency and complications, including eyelid twitches. An adult needs between 310 and 420 mg of magnesium each day, but this amount may vary depending on your health and dietary needs. Your doctor will help you determine how much you require. If you have a deficiency you may feel tired or nauseated, but you may have more extreme symptoms as well. These include tingling and muscle cramps, and in the case of a severe deficiency, you could have seizures and spasms in your heart. Foods such as halibut, beans, rice and nuts contain magnesium, and your doctor may recommend you increase your intake of these foods. You may need to take a supplement to increase your magnesium levels and ensure you bring in enough of this nutrient to avoid further complications. Once you reach normal blood levels of magnesium, you may notice a decrease in your eyelid twitches and other symptoms.
Omega-3
Omega-3 affects body functions, but these fatty acids may also help prevent conditions such as high cholesterol. As well, omega-3 may help reduce inflammation, and if you have an eyelid twitch from eye irritation or inflammation such as from an eye infection or dry eye, omega-3 may help. Food sources of omega-3 include a variety of fish such as tuna, halibut and salmon, but you will also find omega-3 in plant-based sources such as walnuts and flaxseed. If your doctor recommends omega-3, she may recommend a supplement that will provide you with a certain amount you need to help reduce inflammation. In such cases, your doctor will tell you how much omega-3 to take each day.
Considerations
Eyelid twitches do not need treatment unless a spasm results in pain. If you have a twitch that causes your entire eyelid to close completely, or if you have twitches that involve other facial muscles, contact your doctor for an evaluation since this could indicate a medical condition.
References
- Mayo Clinic; Eye Twitching; October 2010
- All About Vision; Eye Twitching and Eyelid Twitches; Burt Dubow, OD
- National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements: Magnesium
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Omega-3 Fatty Acids; Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD
- All About Vision; Eye Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids; Gina White, et al.
