Question 1

Why is an Anti-Inflammatory Diet Important to Start With Dry Eyes?

Accepted Answer

An anti-inflammatory diet is very important to begin with dry eyes to lower your total body inflammation.  Your dry eyes could have started due to a poor diet which added inflammation to your body, leading to dry eyes over time.  While there are many contributing factors that could have caused your dry eye symptoms, key factors include ocular surface inflammation, lacrimal gland inflammation, and Meibomian gland inflammation.    An anti-inflammatory diet will combat these issues by lowering inflammation in your lacrimal glands, Meibomian glands, and on your ocular surface.  Having a quality anti-inflammatory diet will also ensure that you get all the vitamins and minerals needed to have healthy eyes!   Start finding anti-inflammatory meals that you enjoy, and start building your meal plan towards healthier eyes and a healthier life today!   There are plenty of delicious options on my website, along with more online!  Just make sure that you plan your meals in advance to avoid grabbing something quick and unhealthy, or not knowing what to make.    Make sure you avoid red meat, dairy, and refined sugars.

Question 2

Why are Omega 3's so Important to Take With Dry Eyes?

Accepted Answer

You've probably heard from numerous people that taking an omega 3 supplement could benefit your dry eye symptoms from the inside.  However, you may be wondering how and why?     Omega 3's benefit your dry eyes by: -Helping your body produce healthy, soothing tears -Improving the lipid layer of your tear film by helping your glands produce a higher volume of oils while also making your oils higher quality. -Improving the smoothness of your ocular surface -Reducing inflammation in your tear ducts and Meibomian glands -Omega 3's have other health benefits such as improved skin, mood, energy levels, and more!   These benefits make Omega 3's one of the most important supplements to take daily, for improving your dry eye/ MGD symptoms.  You may have to use your Omega 3 supplement for 1-3 months consistently before noticing results.   Be patient, and make sure to take a sufficient amount of Omega 3 fatty acids.  Aim to get at least over 1000 mg of combined EPA/DHA per day.  Since your body cannot produce these essential fatty acids on its own, you may need to look at purchasing a pill form of Omega 3's to ensure you get a consistent dosage, daily.  These nutrients can be hard to get from diet alone.   View my top 5 omega 3 supplements to benefit your dry eye symptoms.       Remember to consult your doctor before starting a new supplement!

Question 3

How Does Digestion Play a Role in Dry Eyes?

Accepted Answer

Healthy and proper digestion can play a huge factor in lowering your total body inflammation,  resulting in improved dry eye symptoms.  You need to make sure your food is properly broken down and absorbed or this could lead to various gastrointestinal conditions such as leaky gut syndrome, IBS, Crohn's, and many more.     These conditions can all play a huge factor in adding inflammation to your eyes.  It is important to try to have as healthy of a digestive system as possible.  To do this, I recommend the following steps:   -Eat cleaner, healthier foods that are full of fiber. -Take digestive enzymes with every meal to help absorb and break down your nutrients. -Have mindful eating by chewing your food properly, helping break down the nutrients, making the nutrients easier for your body to absorb. -Take a probiotic supplement or have foods containing high-levels of probiotics.  Aim to get at least 20 billion CFU/ day.   If your body has poor digestion, even following a quality diet loaded with Omega 3's and other healthy nutrients may not be enough for you to find improvement in your symptoms. Your body may not be able to effectively break down and absorb all of these quality nutrients to see their positive effects.  That's why it is key to also focus on quality digestion, alongside your anti-inflammatory diet.   There is no point in getting quality nutrients if your body can't absorb them!

Question 4

What Is Inflammation?  How Does Diet Contribute to Inflammation?

Accepted Answer

Inflammation helps the body fight illness and can protect it from harm.  In most cases, it is a necessary part of your bodies healing process.   Some foods contain ingredients that can trigger or worsen systemic inflammation.  Sugary or processed foods may do this, while fresh foods are less likely to have this effect.   An anti-inflammatory diet is focused on fresh fruits and vegetables.  Many plant-based foods are good sources of antioxidants.  However, some foods can trigger the development of free radicals.  Examples include foods that people fry in repeatedly heated cooking oil.     Dietary antioxidants are molecules in food that help remove free radicals from your body.  free radicals are the natural byproducts of some bodily processes, including metabolism.  However, external factors, such as stress and smoking, can increase the number of free radicals in the body.   Free radicals can lead to cell damage.  This damage increases the risk of inflammation and can contribute to a variety of diseases, including dry eye disease.

Nutrition and Supplements to Improve Your Dry Eye Symptoms From The Inside

Improve Your Dry Eye Symptoms With Nutrition

Nutrition plays a vital role in achieving dry eye relief

Start my free nutrition challenge for step-by-step assistance with your dry eye nutrition plan

Other Tips When Following Your Anti-Inflammatory Diet:

Dry Eye Nutrition/ Supplement Blogs

Green Smoothies for Dry Eyes- Improve Your Symptoms From The Inside

My Daily Dry Eye Nutrition Plan

Making a Quality Grocery List for Dry Eyes and My Personal Grocery List

Anti-Inflammatory Lunch Ideas to Benefit Dry Eyes

Anti-Inflammatory Snacks to Benefit Dry Eyes

Foods to Avoid With Dry Eyes and Substitutes

Anti-Inflammatory Dinner Ideas That Benefit Dry Eyes

Easy Anti-Inflammatory Breakfast Ideas to Benefit Dry Eyes From the Inside

Dry Eye Supplementation Guide, Omega 3's, Vitamins, Antioxidants + More