The lens in the eye helps focus light on to the retina. The lens is a transparent tissue, which doesn’t contain any blood vessels or nerves. It receives its nutrition and oxygen from fluid within the eye called the aqueous humor. This same fluid helps in removal of toxins and by products from the lens.
Over the years, the lens directs light of different wavelengths include ultraviolet light (which is usually toxic). Ultraviolet light causes degeneration of the tissue of the lens as it creates free radicals. Even as a natural process, the lens tends to push old fibers towards the center, resulting in haziness.
As the concentration of old fibers or damage due to free radicals increases, the central portion of the lens becomes hazy and opaque, not allowing light to transmit through. This condition is referred to as cataract.
Can You Reverse Cataracts Without Surgery?
As per experts cataract is the leading cause of blindness in the world and it is completely reversible. Surgical interventions are available that can help remove the hazy lens from the eye and replace it with artificial lens. Additionally naturopaths have indicated that certain forms of lifestyle and dietary modifications can also help naturally reverse the cataracts.
While cataract usually occurs in elderly age group, some of the factors that can accelerate the formation of cataracts include cigarette smoking, metal poisoning, dehydration, stress, etc. Control on these factors can also help reverse the formation of cataract.
Some Natural Ways To Reverse Cataracts
Here are some dietary and lifestyle modifications that can help reverse cataract naturally,
- Only consume organic foods. Avoid foods containing preservatives, corn fructose and GMO foods. Avoid refined foods include hydrogenated oils, refined salt and sugar, etc. Preservatives are usually toxic in nature and can hasten the progression of cataract. Eliminating these foods from diet can help detoxify the body and reverse cataract.
- Ensure proper hydration. Dehydration causes the lens proteins to denature which in turn results in cataract. Ensuring drinking adequate amount of water each day can also help in flushing out toxins from the body. Avoid sodas, coffee and alcohol as these can lead to further dehydration. Don’t count Ice teas as your water intake while measuring hydration.
- Multi vitamin supplements including Vitamin B complex, Vitamin A and Vitamin E are imperative for good eye health. Vitamin C is an important antioxidant that helps fight free radicals and can delay the process of cataract formation. Ensure that you include essential fatty acids like DHA in your supplement list.
- Glutathione are good for the eyes as they act as strong antioxidants. It is present in sulfur containing foods like eggs, garlic, asparagus, avocados and onions which are loaded with sulfur.
- Quercetin is another bioflavonoid which is good for the eye and is found in high concentrations in fruits and vegetables especially red onions. This food helps control incidence of cataract and also prevents macular degeneration.
- Other herbs include turmeric, which is widely used in the orient to deal with cataract.