There are many claims online that a vegan diet can change your eye colour, with some people reporting that their eyes have changed from brown to blue or green. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this. Ophthalmologists are doubtful that eye colour changes are due to a change in diet and suggest that changes in eye colour can be a warning sign of diseases such as Horner's syndrome or pigmentary glaucoma. One theory is that a vegan diet can lead to higher glutathione levels, which could affect eye colour. Another theory is that the colour of your eyes reflects your body's toxicity level, and a vegan diet can help to reduce toxins in the body, resulting in brighter eyes. Some people also believe that iridology, the study of the iris, can reveal physiological conditions, health risks, and the health of various organs, with the eye colour changing as a result of improved health in these areas.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
People's experiences | Some people have reported that their eye colour has changed after adopting a vegan diet. |
Scientific evidence | There is no scientific evidence proving that vegan diets are related to changing eye colour. |
Iridology | Iridologists have differing opinions on whether eye colour can change. Some believe that the colour of the eyes can change slightly, while others believe it is a scientific impossibility. |
Possible causes | Changes in eye colour may be due to diseases like Fuch's heterochromic iridocyclitis, Horner's syndrome, or pigmentary glaucoma. |
What You'll Learn
Iridology: the study of the iris and its relation to health
Iridology is a pseudoscientific practice that involves studying the markings on the iris (the coloured part of the eye) to determine information about the individual's health. It is based on the idea that the iris contains a "map" of physiological conditions, health risks, and the strengths and weaknesses of various organs in the body. For example, according to iridology, the top quadrant of each eye is related to brain health, while the innermost circle is linked to digestive health.
Proponents of iridology, such as Dr. Robert Morse, believe that the colour of the eyes can change in response to a person's diet and lifestyle choices. They suggest that a person's level of toxicity, which is reflected in the eyes, can be reduced by adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle, thereby causing the eye colour to change, with lighter eye colours indicating improved health.
Some people who have adopted a raw vegan diet claim that their eye colour has changed as a result. For instance, "Fully Raw Kristina" has shared that her eyes changed from brown to blue-green after switching to a raw vegan diet. Similarly, Carly Fraser, a raw vegan for nearly six years, reports that her eyes changed from a dark green hue with brown specks to a light grey-blue with green hints. She attributes this change to the detoxification and improvement of her digestive health as a result of her new diet.
However, it is important to note that there is no scientific evidence to support the idea that a vegan diet can cause eye colour to change. Ophthalmologists are sceptical of this claim, and iridology itself has been thoroughly debunked. While eye colour can change due to various diseases, there is no proof that dietary choices alone can bring about this change.
While the concept of eye colour change due to a vegan diet may be intriguing, it is always important to approach such ideas with a critical eye and rely on scientific evidence and the advice of medical professionals when making decisions about one's health and diet.
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Detoxification and its impact on eye colour
The idea that detoxification can lead to a change in eye colour is a topic of interest, especially for those following a vegan diet. While there is limited scientific evidence to support this claim, some individuals have reported experiencing changes in their eye colour after undergoing detoxification or adopting a vegan lifestyle.
The iris, the coloured part of the eye, is believed by some to be connected to the body's digestive system and overall health. According to the concept of iridology, the iris can provide insights into the health of internal organs, similar to how reflexology maps out the body on the foot. Iridologists suggest that a build-up of toxins in the body can be reflected in the eyes, and detoxification can potentially impact eye colour.
One theory suggests that the layers of coloration in the iris can dissipate as the body becomes cleaner during detoxification. For example, a reduction in uric acid build-up in the body can lessen the yellow hue in green eyes, making them appear more blue. Similarly, an improvement in kidney function can lead to a reduction in toxins, causing brown eyes, which are darker shades of yellow and orange, to appear more green.
Additionally, it is believed that an alkaline diet can help fade white fibres on top of blue fibres, which may be caused by consuming too much coffee and sugar. This can result in a change in eye colour as well.
While there are reports of individuals noticing changes in their eye colour after adopting a raw vegan diet or detoxification, the scientific community largely remains sceptical. Most iridologists agree that while eye colour can change slightly with age, especially during adolescence, it is unlikely to be significantly impacted by diet alone.
Furthermore, it is important to note that any perceived changes in eye colour could be due to an increase in brightness or clarity of the eyes, rather than a complete change in colour. This can be influenced by factors such as improved health, increased water intake, or the consumption of specific nutrients.
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The effect of diet on glutathione levels
It is unclear whether a vegan diet can change your eye colour. While some people claim that their eye colour changed after switching to a raw vegan diet, others are skeptical of these claims.
One theory suggests that raw vegans have higher glutathione levels compared to those who eat mostly cooked foods, which could contribute to eye colour change. Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the body from the damaging effects of free radicals. It is produced by the body and can also be obtained from dietary sources.
Glutathione levels in the body can be influenced by dietary choices. A diet rich in sulfur-containing amino acids, such as methionine and cysteine, can boost glutathione levels. Sulfur-rich proteins include beef, fish, and poultry, while vegetarian sources of sulfur include cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and kale. Additionally, allium vegetables such as garlic, shallots, and onions also boost glutathione levels due to their sulfur content.
Vitamin C, found in citrus fruits, strawberries, and bell peppers, is another important nutrient for maintaining glutathione levels. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant itself and helps to regenerate glutathione. Research has shown that vitamin C supplements can increase glutathione levels in white and red blood cells.
Selenium is a mineral that acts as a cofactor for glutathione production. Selenium-rich foods include beef, chicken, fish, organ meats, cottage cheese, brown rice, and Brazil nuts. Ensuring adequate selenium intake may help maintain or increase glutathione levels.
While the body produces glutathione, it can also be obtained directly from certain foods. Dietary sources of glutathione include spinach, avocados, asparagus, and okra. However, it is important to note that dietary glutathione is not fully absorbed by the body and can be affected by cooking and storage conditions.
In addition to diet, other factors such as age, stress, and exposure to environmental toxins can influence glutathione levels. Maintaining adequate glutathione levels is important due to its role in reducing oxidative stress and protecting against various diseases.
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The impact of diet on melanin
Melanin is a natural pigment that occurs in both humans and animals. It is responsible for giving hair, skin, and eyes their colour, and also provides protection from UV rays and sun damage. While genetics play a significant role in determining the type and amount of melanin a person has, some people believe that diet can also have an impact.
There is some evidence to suggest that certain nutrients and antioxidants may affect melanin production in the body. For example, it is thought that consuming large amounts of dark leafy greens, dark berries, dark chocolate, and colourful vegetables can increase melanin levels due to their high antioxidant content. Additionally, vitamins A, C, and E, as well as minerals like copper, are believed to play a role in melanin production and have been shown to protect the skin from UV damage.
Some people who follow a raw vegan diet have claimed that their eye colour has changed as a result. For instance, "Fully Raw Kristina" has stated that her eyes changed from brown to blue-green after adopting a raw vegan diet. She attributes this change to a reduction in toxins in her body, claiming that her eyes now reflect her improved health. However, this idea has been met with scepticism by some iridologists, who believe that it is a scientific impossibility for eye colour to change due to diet.
While there is no definitive proof that diet can directly change eye colour, there is some evidence to suggest that certain nutrients can impact melanin production. Therefore, it is possible that a vegan diet rich in antioxidants and specific vitamins and minerals could potentially influence melanin levels in the body, although more research is needed to confirm this.
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The link between eye colour and genetics
Eye colour is determined by the amount of melanin in the front layers of the iris. The iris is the structure that surrounds the pupil (the small black hole in the centre of the eye) and controls how much light can enter the eye. The colour of the iris ranges from very light blue to dark brown, with most people's eye colour being categorised as blue, green/hazel, or brown. Brown is the most common eye colour in the world.
Eye colour is determined by variations in a person's genes, with most of the associated genes involved in the production, transport, or storage of a pigment called melanin. A particular region on chromosome 15, where the OCA2 and HERC2 genes are located very close together, plays a major role in eye colour. The OCA2 gene produces a protein called the P protein, which is involved in the maturation of melanosomes – the cellular structures that produce and store melanin. Several common variations in the OCA2 gene reduce the amount of functional P protein that is produced, leading to reduced melanin in the iris and, consequently, blue eyes.
The HERC2 gene also plays a crucial role in eye colour. A region of this gene, known as intron 86, contains a segment of DNA that controls the activity of the OCA2 gene, turning it on or off as needed. Polymorphisms in this area of the HERC2 gene have been shown to reduce the expression of OCA2 and decrease P protein production, resulting in lighter-coloured eyes.
While eye colour is primarily determined by the OCA2 and HERC2 genes, several other genes also play a role, albeit a smaller one. These include ASIP, IRF4, SLC24A4, SLC24A5, SLC45A2, TPCN2, TYR, and TYRP1. The effects of these genes likely combine with those of OCA2 and HERC2 to produce the continuum of eye colours observed in different people.
Although it is uncommon, parents with blue eyes can have children with brown eyes. This is because the inheritance of eye colour is complex, with multiple genes involved. While a child's eye colour can often be predicted by the eye colours of their parents and other relatives, genetic variations can sometimes lead to unexpected results.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no scientific evidence that a vegan diet can change eye color. Ophthalmologists are doubtful that eye color changes are due to a change in diet.
Yes, there are a few reported cases of eye color change due to a vegan diet. For example, a person with dark brown eyes reported that their eyes were turning green due to a change in diet. Another person reported that their eyes changed from a dark green hue with some brown specks to a light grey-blue with green hints and a brown ring surrounding the iris after following a raw vegan diet for 6 years.
Reasons for eye color changes may be due to diseases like Fuch's heterochromic iridocyclitis, Horner's syndrome, or pigmentary glaucoma. Changes in eye color are typically warning signs for these diseases, and an ophthalmologist should be consulted.