Why Magnesium is Essential for Healthy Vision

As part of our series on essential nutrients and vision health, we will focus on Magnesium and why it is an essential nutrient for good health.

Magnesium (Mg), a highly abundant element in the body, plays a vital role in cellular balance. It supports the metabolism of various minerals, nitric oxide, and numerous enzymes essential for maintaining equilibrium within cells. Absorption of magnesium depends upon many other factors, including magnesium in the diet, selenium, parathyroid hormone, and vitamins B6 and D. Excess fat interferes with magnesium functioning. In addition, too much alcohol, salt, sugary sodas, coffee, sweating, stress, women’s menstruation issues, some drugs, and parasites decrease magnesium levels.¹

Magnesium Deficiency Linked to Eye Disease

Studies show that up to 80% of Americans don’t get enough magnesium, so taking magnesium supplements could help most people.

Researcher S. Johnson writes, “It is highly regrettable that the deficiency of such an inexpensive, low-toxicity nutrient results in diseases that cause incalculable suffering and expense throughout the world. The range of pathologies associated with Mg deficiency is staggering including: hypertension, cardiovascular and, kidney disease, liver damage, as well as and peroxynitrite damage related to migraine headaches, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, Alzheimer’s disease.”²

Glaucoma, senile cataracts ³ and diabetic retinopathy were associated with low levels of extracellular Mg2+. ⁴

Diabetic Retinopathy and Magnesium

Diabetic retinopathy. Low levels of magnesium are also detected in patients with diabetic retinopathy.⁵ Magnesium deficiency is the most evident in type 2 diabetes and may heighten the risk of heart disease as well as retinopathy.^{6 7}

Glaucoma and Mg

Magnesium has been identified as a potential therapy for glaucoma because it improves blood flow by enhancing the functioning of cells that line blood vessels (endothelial function) and nitric oxide pathways.

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), accounting for 90% of all glaucoma cases, occurs when increased pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure or IOP) damages the optic nerve. This damage can result in vision loss and blind spots in the visual field. This is connected to the body’s ability to manage inflow and outflow of the aqueous fluid evenly through the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm’s Canal. When this is disrupted, and the inflow is greater than the outflow, the result is increased eye pressure. This may be the result of a combination of inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, increased free radical activity (particularly Reactive Oxygen Species or ROS), and calcium influx sensitivity.

Magnesium plays a role as a co-factor in over 300 bodily processes. A deficiency in magnesium has been linked to primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and is associated with inflammation, fibrosis, and higher oxidative stress. Supplementing with magnesium can help lower oxidative stress, improve mitochondrial function, and support cellular health. It has antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties within ocular tissues, which are soft tissues prone to fibrosis. This suggests that magnesium can improve visual fields in patients with POAG. ⁸

It also protects the nervous system of the retina/optic nerve by protecting the neurons from oxidative damage.⁹ Magnesium may also help lower eye pressure (IOP) naturally, which, along with other targeted herbs and nutrients, can offer an excellent complementary natural approach to allopathic medications.

For example, Coleus Forskohlii can help lower intraocular pressure (IOP) by reducing the flow of fluid into the center of the eye rather than increasing outflow.¹⁰ This is similar to how beta-blocker eyedrops work.

Its active ingredient has been used in IOP-lowering drugs,¹¹ sometimes combined with other known IOP-reducers, such as L-carnosine, some B vitamins, magnesium, and folic acid.¹²

Mg and Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Researchers have observed that patients with macular degeneration are low in magnesium (along with a lack of enough vitamin E, B6, folic acid, and zinc).¹³ Poor retinal microcirculation, preventing the adequate supply of nutrients, is one factor in AMD that is affected by magnesium levels.

Keratoconus

Research has shown that magnesium deficiency may contribute to keratoconic-like changes in the cornea. These changes include thinning and fragmentation of membranes, mitochondrial swelling, altered protein synthesis, and damaged collagen fibers. Studies have also identified a significantly higher prevalence of magnesium deficiency in individuals with keratoconus compared to a control group. Magnesium deficiency may influence metabolic factors that interact with genetic abnormalities, potentially leading to conditions such as keratoconus, Thalasselis’ syndrome, type A behavior, and allergy-related symptoms.¹⁴ These findings suggest that magnesium deficiency could play a role in altering the molecular and cellular structure of the cornea.¹⁵

Blepharospasm

Treatment with magnesium often reduces facial tics such as blepharospasm,¹⁶ which may be aggravated by imbalances of magnesium and calcium.¹⁷

Related Disorders

Low levels of magnesium are also associated with migraines, diabetes, and osteoporosis.

Good Food Sources: dry-roasted almonds, spinach, cashews, soymilk, beans, and avocado, as well as wheat germ, fish, and leafy green vegetables.

Caution: Be careful when taking magnesium if you’re on antibiotics, as it can reduce their effectiveness. Always consult your doctor before starting or adjusting any supplements.

Magnesium and Brain Health

Deficiencies in key nutrients like zinc, vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, and magnesium can negatively impact brain function. Zinc deficiency may impair learning and memory, while a lack of vitamin B12 has been associated with cognitive decline, often mistaken for dementia. Magnesium is crucial for learning and memory, supporting brain plasticity and cognitive function, and reducing amyloid beta build-up in the brain.

Nutrient deficiencies that can mimic dementia include vitamins B1, B6, B12, D3, iron, magnesium, selenium, zinc, as well as contributing to low levels of serotonin and dopamine (essential neurotransmitters in the central nervous system).

Nutrients that support mitochondrial function (and against mitochondrial dysfunction) include Vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, D and E, l-carnosine, l-taurine, CoQ10, benfotiamine, alpha-R-lipoic acid, PQQ (pyrroloquinoline quinone), luteolin (from orange extract fruit), l-carnitine, trans-resveratrol, curcumin, magnesium, and schisandra.

Although blood levels of magnesium do not vary between Alzheimer’s Disease patients and controls, levels of magnesium in cerebrospinal fluid and hair are much lower in AD patients.¹⁸ Magnesium can reduce the Blood-Brain Barrier permeability and promote clearance of amyloid beta from the brain.¹⁹

Foods that support brain plasticity include blueberries, DHA, fisetin, ginseng, goji berry, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, and resveratrol.

Best Forms of Magnesium to Supplement With

Magnesium-L-threonate maximizes magnesium “loading” into the brain. Research has found that increased magnesium levels in the brain promote synaptic density and plasticity in the hippocampus.

Magnesium Glycinate versus Magnesium Citrate

Magnesium citrate is a form of magnesium salt combined with citric acid, also known as citrate. Magnesium citrate has been shown to help cardiovascular and whole-body health. Magnesium citrate contains a relatively lower concentration of magnesium and is generally considered to have better absorption and bioavailability. It is also less likely to cause digestive discomfort.

Magnesium glycinate is a salt formed with glycine, as opposed to citrate. Glycine is an amino acid that acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, helping to regulate nerve signals by reducing overactivity and promoting relaxation. This amino acid is sometimes used as a standalone supplement to promote sleep.

Both magnesium citrate and magnesium glycinate offer similar benefits.

Suggested Supplements

Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula (whole food) 60 vcaps

Dr. Grossman’s Meso Plus Retinal Support and Computer Eye Strain Formula with Astaxanthin 90 vcaps

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

Age-Less Formula 2oz

Mag Citrate 120 tabs (MAGC)

Magnesium Taurate 90c (JR0475)

Nitric Oxide Supplement – helps promote increased oxygen through the body and eyes.

NMN Wonderfeel Capsul 60 vegcaps

Packages

Optic Nerve Support Package B

Sugar Balance & Blood Vessel Support Package 1 (1 month)