So many people talk about vitamins, diet, and nutrition, but I think minerals are a neglected part of our overall health approach. I’m going to share with you some fascinating information that I think you’ll find interesting. There are certain mineral deficiencies associated with macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma. There is a very simple 10-second taste test that can quickly determine if you are deficient in these essential minerals.
Before I begin to actually talk about which minerals are essential and which minerals are related to these particular eye diseases, I like to begin by talking about a very interesting book I read called Topsoil and Civilization. In this book, the authors studied societies that lasted over 5,000 years. They were looking for societies that had that longevity, and they linked the success of any society, believe it or not, to the topsoil containing key essential minerals!

The interesting finding they discovered was that there are three factors that determine the longevity of a society. Number one, there had to be a constant source of water. This makes sense. You need a constant source of water to grow all the essential plants, grains, and food to survive.
The second item that they came across is there has to be yearly flooding. Why yearly flooding? When there’s yearly flooding, the water brings with it a lot of essential minerals and nutrients that may not be present. In other words, when you have yearly flooding, there is a constant replenishment of the soil of all of these essential minerals.

The third item they discovered is it has to be a flat area. There can’t be any hills or valleys.
These are the three essential ingredients: a constant source of water, a yearly flooding, and a flat area.
In the history of our civilization, there have been three areas that have met these criteria. This is the now river basin, the Tigris and Euphrates River, and the Indus River Valley. These three areas met these criteria, but once any one of these criteria was changed, the civilization began to decline.
So in other words, the Nile had yearly flooding. When they began to dam the Nile and control the flow of water, they affected the nutrients of the soil, and then there was a decline in civilization.

This is a fascinating book that linked the health of society and the longevity of civilizations to the topsoil.
Here in the United States, the Mississippi River Valley is our breadbasket of the United States. For the longest time, there has been severe yearly flooding, but because of damming and trying to control the river, we are not getting these yearly floodings. The quality of our food, which is related to the topsoil, is declining.
Another factor that occurs is that we are no longer using natural organic methods for farming. I grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania. My uncle, who ran the farm, would rotate crops every year. He would put important nutrients like cow fertilizer, which he called farmer’s gold, back into the soil. Nowadays, farmers are not doing this. They have the cash crop every year, and they’re using artificial fertilizers and pesticides, and the soil is becoming very depleted.
That is one of the most important things to understand why you have to really be concerned about the minerals in your body. We are just not getting the minerals from the food that we are eating.

Because this is a big problem – and later on I’ll talk about the three important minerals that are related to macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts – but that is why we put great emphasis in my ophthalmology practice in determining essential minerals in everyone.
We do a test called the OligoScan in the office. This is a sophisticated test that uses spectrophotometry where there’s a small light apparatus that we touch on four points on the hand. This determines intracellular minerals, not only intracellular essential minerals which are needed, but it also determines heavy metals that may be present in the body.

I want to make a comment about heavy metals. Heavy metals are big bullies. The lead and mercury are extremely big molecules, and what they do is push the tiny guys out. The tiny guys are the magnesium, zinc, chromium, calcium, essential minerals that our body needs.
Sometimes, it doesn’t matter how careful you are with your diet. If you’re taking mineral supplements, if these big bullies are there – like the lead, the mercury, cadmium, and other heavy metals – they are going to block the uptake and the function of these essential minerals. Not only do we test for essential minerals but we also test for heavy metals.

Of course, the OligoScan does this, but I also like something called the six-hour urine test. This is a test in which you take a chelating agent which draws heavy metals out of the body, and you collect them in your urine over a six-hour time period.
A mistake a lot of practitioners make is they order a urine or a blood test that comes back normal, and they tell the patient, “You don’t have any problem with heavy metals.” Unfortunately, you could be dying of lead toxicity or mercury toxicity, and your urine and your blood will be normal. That lead and mercury goes into your bones, brain, eye, and fat. They just are not found in the urine or blood unless you take chelating agents. Remember that. If you are being tested for heavy metals, make sure you get a urine challenge test.

I met a really interesting nutritionist, Dr. Patricia Kane, whose practice is in New Jersey. Her interest is in nutrition and essential minerals to treat all chronic diseases. She’s a really big advocate of using essential minerals, and not only to help restore the body’s natural ability or natural function. She has found that if you replace the essential minerals that you’re lacking, sometimes that can help detoxify the body and remove the heavy toxic metals like lead or mercury.
One thing she uses is called the taste test. This is interesting because as a homeopathic doctor, I’m always looking at food cravings and aversions. In homeopathy, if you do have a strong food craving or aversion, that tells me something about the metabolic processes in your body.
Naturopathic doctors have known this for a long time. Believe it or not, if you’re craving chocolate, you may have a magnesium deficiency. If you’re craving sweets, you may have a chromium deficiency. If you’re craving red meats and seafood, you may have a zinc deficiency. Whatever you’re craving, that indicates that your body needs those substances.

This is the basis of the mineral taste test. If you need a certain mineral, that mineral will be on the sweet side or pleasant side. If you have a sufficient quantity of that mineral in your body, that mineral will taste awful or horrible. In other words, if it tastes good, that means you need the mineral. If it tastes bad, that means you have enough of it.

We have been using this test in our office with great success. Later on in this presentation, I would like to make you a special offer where you can have a mineral taste test absolutely free. I feel this is really important for you to understand the underlying cause of your vision problems. If you have cataracts, glaucoma, or macular degeneration, stay tuned. We’re going to talk to you about the essential minerals that you may need.

There was a study done, and I’ll go over the study a little bit later, that showed that people with cataracts have low levels of magnesium. Magnesium is a key essential mineral that most people are deficient in. The next one is glaucoma. In glaucoma, there seems to be a deficiency in chromium. In macular degeneration, there’s a deficiency in zinc. We’ll talk about studies and data that have supported the particular essential mineral for each one of these diseases.
We were talking about the taste test, a simple, effective way of seeing very quickly if you’re deficient in this particular mineral. I really became interested in the taste test after studying with Dr. Patricia Kane, a brilliant nutritionist from New Jersey. She uses the taste test all the time not only to determine deficiencies but she feels this is a very important way of determining which mineral replacements you need in order to balance your body and get rid of heavy metals. If you want more information on this, go to www.VisionMineralTest.com.
We already covered some of the reasons why mineral deficiencies are becoming more commonplace. One of them is our soils are becoming deficient. The second is that we are not having adequate nutrition. We’re eating genetically modified food, food that’s grown in barren soil that uses artificial fertilizers and pesticides.

One of the best things you can do is to shift your diet more towards organic, raw, natural food. I believe, just like Thomas Edison said, that the doctor of the future would prescribe no medication but instead advise the patient on food and nutrition. That’s what you need to do. You need to shift your diet more toward organic, raw, natural food, and you will get these essential minerals.
Another problem we have is as we get older, our digestion and absorption changes. Even though you may be eating good, healthy foods or even taking vitamins and nutritional supplements, you still be may deficient.
I was shocked. Eighty percent of patients that I see with macular degeneration are deficient in zinc, even though they’re taking zinc as a supplement. Later on, we’ll talk about the proper forms of these nutrients that you need to take. The most common form of zinc is zinc oxide. Unfortunately, that’s poorly absorbed. You need to be taking a chelated form of zinc.
The other shocking factor is if you are deficient in one or more minerals, there is a good chance that you’re deficient in a lot of other nutritional supplements, like nutritional key ingredients like vitamin C, E, A, and other factors, which are essential for good eye health. Remember that. That’s why it’s important that you quickly find out if you are deficient. You need to then begin looking at taking a good nutritional supplement.
One of the things I have realized is that there are many good nutritional products on the market, but what makes my nutritional product unique is we have digestive enzymes, probiotics, and a little supplemental hydrochloric acid in each product. This helps aid in the digestion and absorption of these key nutritional products.
It is important that you’re properly hydrated because drinking plenty of good water helps eliminate the toxins in your body, which are interfering with the essential minerals. Most of us know that we should not be drinking tap water. That tap water has harmful products: fluoride, chlorine, heavy metals, and pharmaceuticals are now being found in water. You really need to look at drinking a good source of water.
I like reverse osmosis water. Reverse osmosis water eliminates all those harmful products in the water, and you have a good source of drinking water. You’re not putting additional toxins in your body. Remember, if you’re putting additional toxins in your body, especially lead and mercury, they act like big bullies. They’re going to push out those essential minerals, which are essential for good visual health.
A question that is always asked is, “Dr. Kondrot, drinking distilled or reverse osmosis water, isn’t it true that you have eliminated all the essential minerals in the water?” Yes, that is correct, but I feel that if you have a diet of good organic raw foods, you’ll be getting those essential minerals. I also recommend that you use Himalayan sea salt. Himalayan sea salt is manufactured and produced from an inland sea, so it’s not contaminated like our oceans. A small pinch of Himalayan sea salt seems to do the trick. Add a small pinch of Himalayan sea salt per quart of water, and you will get those essential minerals.
Let’s talk about some of the key essential minerals that are really important to our body. Number one is magnesium. Magnesium plays an important role in mitochondrial function. It is involved with many biochemical reactions in the body, especially the neurological system. Low magnesium levels are linked with a variety of conditions, including hypertension, heart disease, osteoporosis, and poorly-controlled diabetes.
A good indication that you may be deficient in magnesium is that you have constipation, muscle cramps, and insomnia. Magnesium is related to calcium metabolism, so sometimes if there’s an imbalance with the magnesium, you’re going to have excessive levels of calcium. This study which I’ll take about later has linked low magnesium to cataracts.
Phosphorous is another mineral that’s important. It’s an essential component of cells, and it plays a role in calcium metabolism and electrolyte imbalance. It’s a key component of ATP, which is like the gasoline of the cells.

Zinc is another essential mineral. Zinc is required for sexual maturation. It helps regulate your appetite and stress level and controls taste and smell. There was a major study done, the ARED study, where they actually determined that zinc deficiency is linked with macular degeneration. In fact, if you’re low in zinc, there’s a 25-fold increase in you developing macular degeneration. Zinc is the test I recommend you take if you have macular degeneration. We have to find out if you’re deficient in zinc.
Calcium is another important mineral. It’s crucial for maintaining proper nerve heart function and muscle contraction, in addition to your bones.
Iron is important because iron is crucial for many body functions. Iron is a key ingredient of hemoglobin, which is the oxygen-carrying component of red blood cells. If you’re deficient in iron, you’re probably developing anemia. You’ll have low oxygen concentration. Low levels of oxygen will be delivered to your cells, and that will be a problem.
Potassium is another critical element. It helps maintain the correct balance of fluid in the body. It helps with muscle contraction and heart contraction. It’s a key electrolyte.
Selenium is a trace mineral that has a potent antioxidant. It is also related to your thyroid. It’s a key role in thyroid function. Unfortunately, because our soils are depleted, we’re seeing more and more deficiencies of selenium.
Lastly, chromium is an important element which is essential for glucose metabolism and insulin function. Studies have shown that people with glaucoma have low chromium levels in their red blood cells.
These are some of the essential minerals.

Let’s first talk about the cataract taste test. I became interested in this because it’s well known that a cataract is an opacification of the lens. Studies have shown that ascorbic acid levels and glutathione levels are decreased, but when the lens develops an opacification, it is well-known that there are calcium deposits. It’s interesting: Magnesium and calcium have an interrelationship.
In this study, they looked at the effects of magnesium content in the feed on cataract development in a particular species of rats. It was noted that a low-magnesium diet greatly accelerated the growth of cataracts in these rats. It is assumed that a diet high in magnesium might suppress the absorption and the bonding of calcium in the lens of the eye. This study also suggested that magnesium deficiency causes an acceleration of cataract development due to the rise of calcium content in the lens.
I think if you are developing a cataract or you have early signs of a cataract, you’ll need to have this test, especially if you have other symptoms such as leg cramping, maybe weakness, or fatigue. These all could be signs of magnesium deficiency.

Now let’s look at chromium in terms of glaucoma. Dr. Jonathan Wright reported in Townsend Letter that chromium levels are reduced in the red blood cell levels of individuals with glaucoma. He reported the following. In normal healthy patients, there were 279 nanograms per milliliter in the red blood cell. In open-angle glaucoma, there were 119 nanograms. This is certainly a significant decrease.
It gets even more interesting. At a major ophthalmology meeting, they did a study showing that vanadium, which is a major inhibitor of chromium, causes an increase in intraocular pressure. In this study, topical vanadium eye drops caused a marked increase in intraocular pressure. There seems to be a relationship between chromium and glaucoma. In addition, chromium is responsible for glucose metabolism. Chromium deficiency is also found in diabetes. Chromium is a trace mineral that certainly should be tested if you have glaucoma.
Chromium is found in broccoli, grapes, cheese, dried beans, calf liver, and chicken. Unfortunately, you’re probably not going to get the proper amount of chromium in these particular supplements. If you do show that you have a low chromium level, I think you’re going to need a chromium supplement.
Chromium is contained in my optic nerve formula, along with other nutritional ingredients. If you measure low based on the chromium taste test, you certainly need to begin taking chromium as a supplement. You might be surprised that it may help to lower the intraocular pressure. This could be the hidden secret in helping you control your glaucoma or your intraocular pressures.
The last test is the zinc test for macular degeneration. In 2001, a national study was done to look at the effect of antioxidants and zinc on the long-term effect on reducing the incidence of macular degeneration. Zinc deficiency was clearly shown to be related to the development of macular degeneration. In fact, taking a good zinc supplement may prevent or reduce your incidence of developing macular degeneration by 25%.

Interestingly, I have found that the majority of patients that I see with macular degeneration are deficient in zinc, even those individuals that are taking zinc as a supplement, which is kind of scary. They are taking the supplement, but the issue is that they’re not taking enough, they’re taking the wrong form, or it’s not being digested and absorbed.
That’s why I recommend a chelated form of zinc, along with a chelated form of magnesium and chromium. Do not take the oxide form. The oxide form is poorly absorbed. I don’t recommend zinc oxide. Magnesium oxide can cause problems with diarrhea, so make sure you take the chelated form of zinc.
Once again, if you want more information, go to www.VisionMineralTest.com for more information. I would like to offer all of you listening to a sample 10-second test for cataracts, glaucoma, or macular degeneration. This is a $29.95 value. It’s yours absolutely free. All you have to do is pay a nominal amount for shipping and handling, and we’ll rush that 10-second test for you with instructions and what to do if you do measure a major deficiency.

Let’s talk about the liquid mineral taste test. First of all, this test should not be a substitute for good medical advice. If you do test that you’re deficient, I feel that you should consult with your ophthalmologist or medical doctor to get a confirmation. I think this is a very effective way of measuring. It’s very quick and accurate, and it can determine if you have a normal level. If you are deficient, you may want to retest yourself in a couple of months. Don’t test sooner because if you are deficient, it takes a long time.
When you receive the taste test, it will be in a single syringe that you will either put all of it or half of it under or on top of the tongue. Just get it in your mouth and kind of swish it around. Then you want to comment on the taste. If it tastes sweet or pleasant, that probably means you are extremely deficient. If you taste something and you don’t like it or it’s pretty bad, that means you have adequate levels.
It’s actually a very simple test. Squirt a dropper full in your mouth. Swish the liquid around. Then make a note of your immediate taste and what happens after 10 seconds. Remember, if it tastes good, that’s bad. That means you’re deficient. If it tastes bad, that’s good. That means you have adequate levels.
I can remember doing the zinc test years ago, and I could barely taste anything. Maybe it was a little sweet, but I was quite surprised because I’m taking a multivitamin. I began taking 100 milligrams of zinc picolinate every day.

After a month, I repeated the taste test. When I placed it in my mouth, it was awful. I thought the solution had become rancid. I held it up against the light and, by golly, it was crystal clear. I said, “Boy, this test is really effective.” Later on, my zinc levels were confirmed to be normal by the OligoScan and blood test. This is a really effective way of measuring three important minerals in your body.
Once again, for cataracts, it’s magnesium. For glaucoma, it is chromium. For macular degeneration, it’s zinc. If you are deficient in these minerals, there’s a good chance that you are deficient in other minerals and other essential nutrients. I would recommend that you begin taking that particular mineral supplement.
If you are deficient in chromium, begin taking 200 micrograms of chromium a day. That’s micrograms. That’s just a small amount. If you’re deficient in zinc, I would recommend taking 100 milligrams of zinc picolinate a day. If you’re deficient in magnesium, I would recommend 300 to 400 milligrams of magnesium a day. In addition, look at the other vitamins that I recommend for each of those specific eye conditions.

\ These minerals are so critical in enzymatic reactions in the body and in physiological functioning. They are just so essential.
It’s hard to believe that a simple minerals deficiency can lead to severe eye problems such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. I was really shocked when I was on my surgical mission in Liberia. I was just amazed at some of the young people, teenagers, that had advanced cataracts. The cataracts were so advanced that it was like you would see in the United States with somebody 90 or 100 years of age. I think this is clearly related to nutrition.

Don’t give up. Don’t think there’s nothing you can do. If you are developing an eye problem, begin with looking at good nutrition. As you know, I’m a big advocate of organic raw food. Shift your diet towards organic raw food. Colorful food will give you colorful vision. Thomas Edison said, “The doctor of the future would not prescribe any medication but instead advise the patient on nutrition and diet. That’s what I’m saying to you. Look at the food you’re eating. Food is your best medicine.
In addition to being tested for these essential minerals, you can go to www.VisionMineralTest.com. I’m offering you a free taste test, depending on your condition, whether it’s cataract, glaucoma, or macular degeneration. Order the taste test, take the test, record your results, and then begin to take the necessary steps. If you are deficient in one of these minerals, logic will tell you begin taking that particular mineral.

Also look at some of the nutritional products that I have developed to complement each one of those ocular diseases. The vitamins that I have formulated not only have the essential minerals, but they also have the essential ingredients for that particular eye problem. In addition, each eye formula has digestive enzymes, probiotics, and supplemental hydrochloric acid. All of these are very critical in helping you to digest and absorb those nutrients.

You take these products with your meal. Then in a couple of months, I would recommend repeating the taste test. Once again, the taste test is very simple. All you need to do is put a dropper full inside your mouth, swish it around, and record the taste. If it’s sweet or pleasant, that probably means you’re deficient and you need it. If it tastes awful, your body is adequate for that particular mineral. This is not a substitute for medical care. I would consult with your ophthalmologist or a medical doctor to get a confirmation.
Remember that often mineral deficiencies are associated with heavy metals. There is a good chance that you have elevated lead or mercury, and these are interfering with the absorption of these essential minerals. I recommend that you consider getting a six-hour urine challenge test. This is one of the most effective ways for measuring your body burden of heavy metals.
Don’t be misled and just get a simple urine test or a blood test. Chances are it will be normal. You could be dying of lead poisoning or mercury poisoning and your blood and urine will be normal. You need a challenge test to draw those elements out of your blood, your bone, your brain, and your eye, and then measure them.
If you do have heavy metals, the best way to treat this is chelation therapy. Chelation therapy uses a substance called EDTA, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, which is a big molecule which binds these heavy metals that are big bullies blocking the essential minerals. When it binds them, it makes them soluble. Then they’re excreted into your urine for elimination, so get tested for heavy metals.
In addition, if you are deficient, I recommend you consider getting a Myers’ cocktail, a fortified vitamin mixture. It has vitamin C, all of the trace minerals, B-complex, taurine, selenium, and everything that you need and your body is lacking. All of my patients who are deficient and who are suffering from vision loss, I recommend they get a Myers’ cocktail at least once a month.
The best way to find a doctor is to go online and search for an integrative doctor. There is a website I use all the time called www.ACAM.org You type in your zip code, find a doctor near you, and give them a call. They’ll be able to get you started on not only the Myers’ cocktail but the chelation therapy.

I know chelation therapy is controversial, and a lot of doctors still don’t accept its validity, but there was a national study done called the TACT study, Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy. I thought it was a really good study. It was a 10-year, $30 million National Institute of Health study. At the end of this study, the group that had chelation had as high as a 28% reduction in a major cardiac event.
They didn’t really look at eye problems, but this seemed to demonstrate that by removing heavy metals and receiving chelation, which improves blood flow, it’s going to improve your overall health.
Take these important steps. Order your mineral taste test now. Go to www.VisionMineralTest.com and order your free metal essential mineral test right now. You can also give the office a call at (800) 430-9328 or email me at [email protected]

Once you get the taste test, there will be detailed instructions on how to conduct the test. It’s very simple. Once you determine whether you’re deficient or not, then you need to take the next step. Certainly, if you’re deficient, the first step would be to begin taking that mineral. Also look at the vitamin supplements that I recommend for that particular eye problem.
Remember, one of the best things you can do is begin to change your diet. Shift your diet more toward organic raw healthy food. Remember, colorful food will give you colorful vision.
Begin drinking plenty of water. The rule of thumb we have is one half of your body weight should be in ounces of water. Water is the best way to detoxify your body. Remove those toxic elements that are preventing your body from healing.

Then consider the six-hour urine test to determine if you do have any heavy metals. If you do have heavy metals, begin to receive chelation therapy. IV therapy is the best way to go, but we also have alternative treatments such as rectal suppositories and oral. You can give the office a call for more information on that.
I do want to hear from you. If you have any questions, please give the office a call at (800) 430-9328. You can also email me at [email protected].
Remember, go to www.VisionMineralTest.com  Take the first and most important step. We’ll send you a complimentary taste test for your particular eye problem. The test is free. All you have to pay is a nominal amount for shipping and handling. Take that first important step. Order the vision mineral test at www.VisionMineralTest.com