Keratoconus and diet

[Elizabeth R]

junk food is not good for keratoconus . maybe we could be the healthiest KC group in the world.

[Andrew MacLean]

I think that they routinely test for low magensium in the case of alcoholism or uncontrolled diabetes. Otherwise I am not sure that doctors think it is indicated. It would probably be a good diea for us as Keratoconus is known to be associated with low magnesium.

Andrew

[donna]

Found this:
Most dietary magnesium comes from vegetables, particularly dark green, leafy vegetables. Other foods that are good sources of magnesium are:

Soy products, such as soy flour and tofu
Legumes and seeds
Nuts (such as almonds and cashews)
Whole grains (such as brown rice and millet)
Fruits or vegetables (such as bananas, dried apricots, and avocados)
Side Effects Return to top

Toxic symptoms from increased magnesium intake are not common because the body eliminates excess amounts. Magnesium excess almost always occurs only when magnesium is supplemented as a medication.

Magnesium deficiency is rare. The symptoms include muscle weakness, fatigue, hyperexcitability, and sleepiness. Deficiency of magnesium can occur in alcoholics or people whose magnesium absorption is decreased due to surgery, burns, or problems with malabsorption (inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract). Certain medications or low blood levels of calcium may be associated with magnesium deficiency.

Deficiency symptoms have three categories:

Early symptoms include irritability, anorexia, fatigue, insomnia, and muscle twitching. Other symptoms include poor memory, apathy, confusion, and reduced ability to learn.
Moderate deficiency symptoms consist of rapid heartbeat and other cardiovascular changes.
Severe deficiency of magnesium could lead to tingling, numbness, sustained contraction of the muscles, and hallucinations and delirium.

[Andrew MacLean]

Donna

Thank you for that. The plot thickens.

There seem to be a number of causes of magnesium deficiency:

Diet,
Chronic Alcohol Abuse
Diabetes
"Other"

I think that KC linked to magnesium deficiency can be categorized as "other". Where it is associated with other indicators (like the ones I have listed above, along with others like apnoea) it may be that there is a genetic difficulty in taking up magnesium from food.

I guess the best advice is to have a healthy and balanced diet, to make sure that this includes good sources of Magnesium and other micro nutrients. Next time I go to see my GP about my blood pressure problem, I think I'll raise the question of dietary Mg.

All the best

Andrew

[Mandy]

Hi Everyone

Its been a while since I've posted and a while since I've been on the site. I've just been really busy and have got caught up with things. Sorry I missed the London social a few weeks ago!

I've missed everyone!

I just wanted to say that I found out a few weeks ago, purely by chance when my uncle came over from the States that he too has KC. He is 55 and it was only picked up when he went to have laser eye surgery to correct his short sightedness. He can manage with glasses and I get the impression that it doesn't really affect him.

This was quite a shock for me as it confirmed a genetic link in my case. However, he also told me that he has been diagnosed with mild diabetes. So, to get back to why I posted on this thread, i just wondered whether there is something in the theory about magnesium deficiency being linked to our condition as it is also linked to diabetes, both of the conditiuons that my Uncle has.

I hope that made some sense...its late and I'm rambling slighty!
M

[Andrew MacLean]

Mandy

When you say your uncle I guess you mean either your mother's brother or your father's brother, and not the husband of the sister of your father or mother.

I say this because to my embarrassment I was once telling my surgeon that my nephew had KC. He was writing all this down and I realized that what to me was an interesting snippet of general family information was being understood as a genetic link. I had to say, rather quickly that he was my nephew by marriage. My surgeon drew a big line through all his copperplate notes

Anyway, it is good to welcome you back. We have missed you, too.

Andrew

[Elizabeth R]

hay there is new Diet coke with vitamins.wicth is really cool.

[GarethB]

Does this still have caffeine in?

If it does, it will still act as a dieretic and pull water out your system which usually pulls out some of the good things out your system too.

Aren't I party pooper

[Elizabeth R]

yes Gareth it has caffeine.

[Mandy]

Taken me a while to respond, but to answer your question Andrew, yes it is my mother's brother who also has KC.

I was just wondering, having read this thread, if there is a link here between magnesium levles and KC as he also has diabetes.

Just a thought....