Medical writer: Samantha Agcaoil
A keto diet, which has become popular lately, might seem nothing more than a passing fad. It was initially created to address specific health issues like epilepsy and, later, diabetes, but now the diet became a new and appealing way to lose weight. Those in favor of the diet argue that it is based on a healthier approach than low-calorie diets. Some research reports specific influence the diet has on sight and eye health problems.
What Is the Keto Diet?
A typical keto day diet might look like this: eggs with bacon and cheddar for breakfast, a salad with avocado, cashew, and gorgonzola for lunch, and chicken with cream, spinach, and parmesan for dinner. How can this diet ever help to lose weight?
Our body gets energy from glucose, which is in abundance in carbohydrates. When we reduce the amount of bread, pasta, and sugar, the body starts using its deposit — the fat it accumulated before — to produce energy.
Anyone who has ever tried to go low-carb knows that the body tries to protest by making them feel tired, unhappy, and hungry.
Fat used to be a mortal enemy of anybody trying to lose weight on low calories diets. Since any fat contains a lot of calories, a very limited amount of it was allowed. Meat and fish had to be lean, and milk — skimmed.
The approach of the keto diet is the opposite one. The more fat, the better. Reduce carbs and increase the usual amount of protein. A new combination of carbs, proteins, and fat leads to a shift in metabolism. When experiencing the lack of carbohydrates, the body starts to get energy from fat. This type of metabolism is named ketosis. The body does not feel stressed since it does not have to waste its own fat first — it metabolizes the fat from the food. But when it gets used to producing energy from fat, it becomes more inclined to use its fat reserve, and the weight loss starts.
Does the Keto Diet Affect Your Eyes?
If you have been eating omelets, salmon, shrimps, and avocado without a toast for days and then suddenly cheat by eating a big piece of cheesecake, hoping that cheese is part of the diet, you completely ignore the sugar intake. The sugar level in the blood will go up only to drop down a few hours later. This will make you feel slightly dizzy, and the world around you will look a bit fuzzy.
When on a keto diet, your glucose level might drop dramatically. Hypoglycemia can affect your general state and cause blurred vision. It is a temporary state, as the sight will go back to normal when sugar levels up, but the experience is unpleasant, and it also might destabilize metabolism in the long run.
Another after-effect of a keto diet for eye health might be caused by the decreased amount of vitamin B intake. Cereals are particularly rich in some B vitamins. Getting the vitamins from food might be problematic with a low-carb diet. The thymine deficiency can lead to vision loss, but the issue is easily tackled. A vitamin supplement can solve the problem in no time.
Why Balance Is Important?
To include different vegetables, especially green leaves and nuts, is a crucial condition for making sure the ration contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals. You should not limit the food to cheese and fatty fish only.
Like a quick change of climate or time zone, a diet shift is a shocking experience for the body. While the overall short-term effect of ketosis is beneficial, making sure that the start and end of the diet are smooth is vital.
Impact on Eye Health
The keto diet helps fight diabetes and has a positive impact on diabetes-related eye problems. Some research shows that the keto diet and glaucoma are related through increased energy supply, stopping an eye’s retina from degeneration.
What If I Get Vision Fuzzy While on Keto?
You may be suffering because of hyperglycemia. If you know that you have been on and off the diet, you might try to be more consistent and see if the problem persists. A blood test can help to look into the situation in more detail. It goes without saying that if any discomfort occurs during a dramatic change of eating habits, it is highly recommended to consult your doctor.
Will the Keto Diet Improve the Vision of a Person?
Some people report clearer vision when on a keto diet. Nevertheless, no scientific evidence is available on this matter. Yet, since the level of sugar in the blood comes to a balance thanks to the diet, it reduces the risks of glaucoma caused by diabetes.
The Bottom Line
The keto diet helps to lose weight and might have a positive effect when dealing with some sight problems. A certain ratio of nutrients starts ketosis, the process when the body gets energy from fat instead of carbs. Keeping an adequate intake of minerals and vitamins is always essential. It is crucial for your wellbeing and health to define clear goals when switching to a keto diet, undergo regular health checks, and build up healthier eating habits to enjoy long-term positive effects of the diet.
