The Latest Medical News

A Summary of The Latest Medical News: **New Study Links B Vitamins and Choline to Slower Glaucoma Progression** A new study published in *Cell Reports Medicine* suggests that supplementing with B vitamins—specifically B6, B9, B12—and the essential nutrient choline may help slow the progression of glaucoma, according to recent research conducted on animal models[1][2][4]. **Understanding Glaucoma and Current Treatments** Glaucoma is a serious eye disease that damages the optic nerve and is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. While increased eye pressure is a common risk factor, glaucoma can also develop in people with normal eye pressure. Standard treatments focus on lowering eye pressure using medication, laser therapy, or surgery, but these do not work equally well for all patients and there is currently no cure for the disease[1][2]. **How B Vitamins and Choline May Help** Researchers investigated whether supplementing with B6, B9, B12, and choline could provide additional protection to the eye beyond lowering intraocular pressure. In experiments with mice and rats afflicted by glaucoma, supplementation with these nutrients produced neuroprotective effects: - In mice with slowly developing glaucoma, the optic nerve damage was completely halted. - In rats with a more aggressive form of glaucoma, disease progression was significantly slowed. - Notably, these effects were observed even when eye pressure was left untreated, hinting that the vitamins might influence the disease process differently from traditional therapies[4][5]. **The Role of Homocysteine and Neuroprotection** This study also explored the role of homocysteine, an amino acid previously linked to glaucoma progression. While researchers found that higher blood homocysteine levels were not associated with faster disease action in this model, B vitamin and choline supplementation did safeguard retinal ganglion cells, implying a direct benefit to the optic nerve[1][5]. **Next Steps: Human Clinical Trials Underway** Based on these promising findings, a clinical trial has begun at S:t Eriks Eye Hospital in Stockholm to test whether the same benefits can be observed in people with glaucoma. The trial will include patients with both slowly progressing (primary open-angle glaucoma) and rapidly progressing (pseudoexfoliation glaucoma) forms of the disease[4]. **Implications for the Future** Currently, no neuroprotective therapies exist for glaucoma outside of pressure-lowering approaches. If the results from animal studies translate successfully to humans, B vitamin and choline supplementation could become a valuable addition to existing treatment options. **Conclusion** While more research is needed, especially in people, this study highlights a potential new avenue to slow glaucoma progression using safe and widely available supplements. Patients interested in such treatments should consult their eye care providers as research continues to evolve[1][4][5]. Help with your insurance? https://tally.so/r/n012P9