Neuroinflammation and Glaucoma: Bridging Brain Health and Vision

Nuts to reduce NeuroinflammationNeuroinflammation is inflammation of the brain or spinal cord. It’s a defensive response to injury, infection, or illness. Neuroinflammation is beneficial after, for example, a spinal cord injury.1 However, chronic inflammation is a significant contributing factor to disease onset. Researchers are concerned that an inflamed brain and spinal cord can lead to disease in the brain and eyes. The optic nerve and retina, for example, are neural tissue. In this article, we look at the links between neuroinflammation and two eye conditions: glaucoma and thinning of the cornea.  We also examine research on neurodegeneration, deteriorating brain health, and a compromised blood-brain barrier. And, we list some nutrients that help reduce neuroinflammation.

Neuroinflammation

Glaucoma, particularly in its acute form, is increasingly recognized as an inflammatory condition. Researchers suggest that elevated intraocular pressure may trigger an inflammatory response. Studies have demonstrated that inflammation can occur in the central nervous system during the early stages of glaucoma, disrupting the protective processes for neurons. Scientists are exploring the specific role of neuroinflammation in the development of glaucoma. Microglia, cells that act as sensors for nervous system damage, are involved in the inflammatory response. This process contributes to the accumulation of beta-amyloid, a protein also associated with Alzheimer’s disease.2 Similarly, optic nerve cells, which are essentially brain cells, can accumulate beta-amyloid, leading to build-up in both the retinas and optic nerves. The activity of microglia and the inflammatory response are linked to protein aggregation and nerve cell degeneration.3

Pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PEX) is distinguished by clumps of amyloid protein that accumulate in the eye and ultimately end up blocking the outflow of aqueous humor by clogging the trabecular network (which is located between the cornea and iris which allows aqueous humor to drain out). Recommended nutrients are those that are both natural anti-inflammatories and supporters of optic nerve health. 

  • Anti-Inflammatory Nutrients: Omega-3 fatty acids, astaxanthin, vitamin D3, MSM, and herbs such as turmeric (curcumin), holy basil, resveratrol, ginger, digestive enzymes, and rutin. 
  • For optic nerve support: Taurine, bilberry, grapeseed extract, magnesium, vitamin B9, vitamin B12, N-acetyl-cysteine, alpha-lipoic acid, CoQ10, pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin C are essential for helping keep the optic nerves nourished and resilient.

Cornea

Thin corneas can mask the accurate reading of eye pressure. In some cases, the changes in the optic nerve may be the result of thin corneas. Thin corneas, thinner than 555 micrometers, may cause artificially low eye pressure readings which would equate to high eye pressure for someone with normal corneal thickness. This means that a high normal reading that could be fine for the general population may be too high for someone with thin corneas.

Many conditions, including brain tumors, heart problems, or toxic substances can cause optic nerve damage to appear to be glaucoma. 

Neurodegeneration

Recent research has shifted the understanding of glaucoma from being solely an eye disease to a neurodegenerative disease affecting the brain. The intricate connection between the eye and the brain is crucial to understanding glaucoma. Both the retinas and optic nerves are composed of brain tissue, highlighting their integral role in the brain’s structure. Glaucoma shares characteristics with other degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Lou Gehrig’s disease, with age and family history being significant risk factors.

Inflammation and Brain Health

Neuroinflammation is linked to the progression and severity of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), where misfolded and aggregated proteins provoke an immune response, leading to neuronal death and cognitive decline.4 5

Both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are marked by neuroinflammation, which often emerges in old age when chronic inflammation weakens the immune system.6

Environmental Toxins

Environmental pollutants have been linked to neuroinflammation. For example, young adults who live in areas with significant air pollution are at far greater risk of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.7   The same is true regarding exposure to industrial pollution-, combustion-, and friction-derived nanoparticles (often found in fish due to the heavy dumping of plastic in the ocean as well as found as an air pollutant).8 Magnetite combustion and friction-derived nanoparticles can penetrate the brain, where they are linked to early and progressive damage to the neurovascular unit and brain cells. These nanoparticles may be a contributing factor to the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease.9

Compromised Blood Brain Barrier (BBB)

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is crucial for maintaining brain health by preventing debris, toxins, bacteria, and viruses from entering the brain. It plays a vital role in brain homeostasis and the regulation of transport into and out of the brain. A breakdown in the BBB can lead to neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and cerebral small vessel disease.10

Nutrients That Help Reduce Neuroinflammation

Astaxanthin (6mg – 12 mg per day). The combination of astaxanthin and DHA is more effective than either alone in reducing oxidative stress,11 enhancing learning and memory, and decreasing tau hyperphosphorylation and neuroinflammation.12

Aged Garlic (600mg per day). Compared to regular garlic, aged garlic extract stands out as having superior beneficial effects with respect to inhibiting platelet aggregation in cardiovascular disease,13 strengthening the immune system and boosting levels of natural glutathione,14 supporting working memory and cognitive capacity, slowing cholinergic cell death due to amyloid beta accumulation,15 being neuroprotective,16 and protecting neuronal PC12 cells against amyloid beta.17

Aged garlic extract restricts several of the cascades related to synapse deterioration and neuroinflammation,18 improves cognitive impairment, and reduces neurodegeneration caused by amyloid beta accumulation,19 regulates cholinergic function,20 improves short-term recognition memory in lab animals, and slows inflammatory response.21

Blueberries. PTSD is linked to increased oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Powerful antioxidants can help counteract the over-production of norepinephrine, a hormone crucial for brain cell communication. In an animal model, PTSD rats on a blueberry-enriched diet showed enzyme changes that helped restore neurotransmitter balance.22

Ginseng: Daily doses of 500mg to 1,000mg of Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng, root extract) are being increasingly recognized for their potential efficacy in treating Parkinson’s Disease.23 Ginsenosides are promising anti-Parkinson’s agents due to their neuroprotective actions, which are achieved through various mechanisms, including “inhibition of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, decrease in toxins-induced apoptosis and nigral iron levels, and regulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor channel activity”.24

Green tea (containing epigallocatechin). In animal models of PTSD, rats treated with epigallocatechin showed improved cognition and fear response, and reduced memory-related changes by inhibiting increased neuroinflammation under stress. This treatment also reversed some damaging hormonal changes in the brain and corrected hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction.25 Enjoy several cups of green tea per day for an inexpensive antioxidant boost.

Nattokinase (100mg – 200mg per day) and serrapeptase (30mg – 120mg 1-2 times daily away from food). In animal models of Alzheimer’s Disease, both nattokinase and serrapeptase have shown potential therapeutic value. They improve brain metabolism, increase BDNF and IGF-1 levels, enhance the expression of genes like ADAM9 and ADAM10, offer neuroprotective benefits,26 and reduce neuroinflammation.27

Tests of nanoencapsulation delivery have shown that nattokinase can reduce amyloid aggregation and fibril formation.28 It is also linked to improved learning and memory.29

Nuts. A 2014 review indicated that nuts can enhance cognition and may help prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.30  In animal models, walnuts have been found to reduce amyloid beta fibrillization, decrease amyloid beta-induced oxidative stress, and prevent apoptosis (cell death).31

Pycnogenol has been shown to reduce neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in animal models.32 French maritime pine bark extract has been found to improve cognitive functioning in both animal and human studies.33

Conclusion

Understanding the links between neuroinflammation and eye conditions such as glaucoma and corneal thinning is important for prevention and treatment strategies. The research on neurodegeneration, brain health deterioration, and the compromised blood-brain barrier underscores the complexity of these issues. By incorporating specific nutrients known to reduce neuroinflammation, we can potentially mitigate these conditions and improve overall neurological health.

Check out more glaucoma articles:

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month! Stay informed with our series of articles covering essential topics on glaucoma. Check out all four posts below:

Prevent and Support Glaucoma: The Silent Thief

Regulate Intraocular Pressure Naturally: Fight Glaucoma

Oxidative Stress and Its Impact on Health and Vision

Suggested Supplements

Dr. Grossman’s Circulation and Optic Nerve Support Formula

Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula (whole food) 60 vcaps – our foundation eye formula which is a whole food, organic, GMO free formulation.

Aged Black Garlic 30 vcaps

Nattokinase Plus 60 caps – combination of nattokinase and serrapeptase. These enzymes are best taken on an empty stomach.

Retinal Support (wild-crafted herbal formula) 2 oz

Dr. Grossman’s Meso Plus Retinal Support and Computer Eye Strain Formula with Astaxanthin 90 vcaps – with lutein, zeaxanthin, meso-zeaxanthin, taurine and astaxanthin.

Dr. Grossman’s Advanced Eye and Dr. G’s Whole Food Superfood Multi1 20 Vcap Combo – 2 months supply

Dr. Grossman’s Vitamin C Plant-Based Formula – 60 caps


OmegaGenics™ EPA-DHA 720 Lemon 120 gels – also available if 240 gelcaps or liquid.

NMN Wonderfeel Capsul 60 vegcaps

Recommended Books

Natural Eye Care: Your Guide to Healthy Vision and Healing

Natural Brain Support: Your Guide to Preventing and Treating Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Other Related Diseases Naturally

Natural Parkinson’s Support: Your Guide to Preventing and Managing Parkinson’s

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