Effects of a Red-Ginger-Based Multi-Nutrient Supplement on Optic Nerve Head Blood Flow in Open-Angle Glaucoma.

A single oral dose of red ginger extract significantly increased relative optic nerve head mean blur rate at 1 hour post-ingestion.

• Relative MBR at 1 hour was 106.9 ± 3.1% (p < 0.05) after adjusting for age and sex
• 19 glaucoma patients (38 eyes) were included in the acute phase analysis
• ONH blood flow was quantified using laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG)
• Measurement was taken at baseline and one hour after a single dose of the supplement

One month of continuous oral supplementation further increased optic nerve head blood flow beyond the acute effect.

• Relative MBR after 1 month was 115.4 ± 6.7% (p < 0.05) after adjusting for age and sex
• 13 patients (26 eyes) completed the one-month follow-up
• The enhancement at 1 month (115.4%) was greater than that observed at 1 hour (106.9%)
• Analysis used a linear mixed-effects model accounting for repeated measures and inter-eye correlations

Greater ONH perfusion enhancement was particularly prominent in eyes with shorter axial length.

• The association between axial length and ONH perfusion response was identified in the results
• Axial length was recorded as part of ocular biometry measurements
• This subgroup finding suggests a differential response based on ocular anatomy

The study was a retrospective self-controlled design conducted at a single academic center without a placebo comparison group.

• Study was conducted at Tohoku University Hospital between August 2023 and March 2025
• Design was a retrospective self-controlled study
• Systemic parameters, ocular biometry, and concomitant glaucoma medications were recorded from medical charts
• Authors acknowledge the absence of a placebo-controlled comparison group as a limitation, describing findings as 'hypothesis-generating evidence'

The supplement under investigation contained red ginger extract (Zingiber officinale var. rubra), lutein, and vitamin B6.

• Red ginger extract was identified as the primary active component with antioxidative and vasodilatory properties
• The supplement was administered orally as a dietary supplement
• Nutritional factors with antioxidative and vasodilatory properties were hypothesized to help preserve ocular perfusion
• The study addressed vascular and metabolic dysregulation contributing to optic nerve head ischemia beyond intraocular pressure