Protecting Your Vision: The Carnivore Diet and Eye Health

The Connection Between Diet and Eye Health

Dr. Lisa Wedderman, an ophthalmologist with over 15 years of experience following a carnivore diet, believes there is a strong connection between what we eat and our eye health. She explains that many common eye conditions like diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and cataracts are closely linked to diet and lifestyle factors.

Diabetes and Eye Health

Diabetes can have a significant impact on eye health, particularly through its effects on small blood vessels. Dr. Wedderman explains:

"Diabetes is actually a disease of small blood vessels like capillaries. Our eyes are so rich with blood vessels because it's a highly metabolic organ full of capillaries. When these capillaries get damaged and leak, especially in the eye when you get macular edema and diabetic macular edema, there's fluid leaking from these blood vessels that causes damage to the retina, the macula, and the retina."

She emphasizes that controlling blood sugar through diet is critical for preventing and potentially reversing diabetic eye complications. By adopting a low-carb or carnivore approach, many patients are able to dramatically improve their blood sugar control and eye health.

Macular Degeneration and Diet

Dr. Wedderman cites research by Dr. Chris Knobbe linking the rise in macular degeneration to the increased consumption of processed foods and seed oils over the past century. She believes that returning to a more ancestral, meat-based diet can help protect against and potentially improve macular degeneration.

The Impact of Light on Eye Health

In addition to diet, Dr. Wedderman highlights the importance of light exposure for eye health:

"There's a combination I believe of both the food that we put in our mouths and the light that we let in our eyes is also extremely important. When we think about ancestrally, naturally as human animals on earth, what would we eat? We would kill the big mammoth woolly beast and eat our fatty meat. But what would we have on our skin and in our eyes? Sunlight, moonlight, firelight, and candlelight."

She warns against excessive exposure to artificial light, especially blue light from screens, which she refers to as "junk light." Dr. Wedderman recommends getting natural sunlight exposure, especially in the morning and evening, and using blue-blocking glasses when exposed to artificial light at night.

The Carnivore Diet for Eye Health

Dr. Wedderman has been following a carnivore diet for nearly 16 years and credits it with resolving her own health issues as well as helping many of her patients. She explains why she believes a meat-based diet is optimal for eye and overall health:

Nutrient Density

"This is the proper human diet. This is optimal. This is the most nutrient-dense way to eat," Dr. Wedderman states. Animal foods provide highly bioavailable forms of essential nutrients that are critical for eye health, including vitamin A, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Elimination of Problematic Plant Compounds

By removing plant foods, the carnivore diet eliminates potentially irritating compounds like oxalates, phytates, and lectins that may contribute to inflammation and health issues in some people.

Blood Sugar Control

The carnivore diet is extremely low in carbohydrates, which helps stabilize blood sugar levels. This is particularly beneficial for preventing and managing diabetic eye complications.

Reduced Inflammation

Many people report significant reductions in systemic inflammation when adopting a carnivore diet, which may benefit eye health and reduce the risk of inflammatory eye conditions.

Overcoming Objections to the Carnivore Diet

Dr. Wedderman acknowledges that the carnivore diet is often met with skepticism and concern. She offers advice for dealing with "naysayers":

"Thank you so much for your concern, but I've never felt better. If you're really interested in finding out the truths behind the myths that you're spouting, I'd be happy to send you some information."

She emphasizes the importance of doing your own research and trusting your personal experience:

"Your health doesn't really need anybody else's approval and it doesn't care about anybody else's opinion. Keep going down your road of learning, understanding, and have your own experience with it and then determine where you go from there."

Beyond Diet: Other Factors for Optimal Eye Health

While diet plays a crucial role, Dr. Wedderman highlights other important factors for maintaining eye health:

Sleep and Circadian Rhythm

Getting adequate sleep and maintaining a healthy circadian rhythm is critical for eye health. Dr. Wedderman recommends:

• Getting exposure to natural sunlight, especially in the morning and evening
• Minimizing artificial light exposure at night
• Using blue-blocking glasses when exposed to screens or artificial light in the evening

Stress Management

Chronic stress can negatively impact overall health, including eye health. Dr. Wedderman emphasizes the importance of stress reduction techniques and surrounding yourself with supportive people.

Regular Eye Exams

Even when following a healthy diet and lifestyle, regular eye exams are important for early detection and management of any eye conditions that may develop.

The Importance of Community and Support

Dr. Wedderman strongly believes in the power of community for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. She organizes carnivore meetups and even hosts "carb sober cruises" to help people connect with like-minded individuals and stay on track with their dietary goals.

She encourages people to seek out support groups or coaching programs to help them succeed on their health journey:

"The biggest road to success is joining in together and being in a group. Without that support, when you struggle, it's nice to struggle with somebody that's going to lift you back up and help you and just provide perspective."

Conclusion

Dr. Lisa Wedderman's insights highlight the profound connection between diet, lifestyle, and eye health. While the carnivore diet may seem extreme to some, her personal experience and clinical observations suggest it can be a powerful tool for improving and maintaining vision health.

By focusing on nutrient-dense animal foods, managing light exposure, prioritizing sleep, and building a supportive community, we can take proactive steps to protect our vision and overall health. As with any significant dietary change, it's important to work with healthcare professionals and listen to your body as you explore what works best for you.

Remember, protecting your eye health is about much more than just wearing glasses or contact lenses - it's about addressing the root causes of disease and optimizing your overall health through diet and lifestyle choices.

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