Today, I want to share a few interesting natural alternatives for styes. A stye is a little pimple or pustule on the eyelid, usually involving a sebaceous gland. The sebaceous glands are oil glands. If one of these glands becomes clogged, it can lead to a staph infection and inflammation. It typically causes a lot of redness and irritation. In many cases, within seven days, the stye will go away. But, some people deal with recurring styes. People with diabetes have a much higher incidence of styes and staph infections. Sometimes retinoids, a type of vitamin A, are used as a treatment for styes. There is an interesting relationship between vitamin A and styes. One thing that can occur with a vitamin A deficiency is hyperkeratosis. Hyperkeratosis causes a roughened extra layer of skin tissue in the ducts of the sebaceous glands. This means that a vitamin A deficiency can cause the sebaceous glands to be clogged, leading to inflammation. A certain study on humans showed a significant vitamin A deficiency in those who had styes vs. those who did not. Vitamin A is also important for the immune system. A deficiency in vitamin A can increase the risk of infection. Diabetes and insulin resistance can also impair the immune system. Vitamin D is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatories, and vitamin D deficiency is associated with many different eye problems. Vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk of both infections and styes. Zinc is important for building up the immune system and reducing the recurrence of styes. Top causes of vitamin A deficiency: • A lack of the active form of vitamin A in the diet (retinol) • Gut inflammation • Liver issues • Gallbladder issues • Lack of bile • Zinc deficiency • Alcohol • Antibiotics Foods rich in vitamin A include: • Beef liver • Egg yolks • Fish • Cod liver oil The best natural ways to help get rid of a stye and keep it from coming back: 1. Get on the Healthy Keto® diet 2. Take vitamin A and vitamin D (cod liver oil) 3. Take zinc (200 mg for one week, then back to normal amounts) 4. Rub a clove of garlic on the stye a few times a day without getting the garlic in your eye 5. Make green tea, then place the cooled green tea bag on your eyelid over the stye Online Keto Coaching: Personalized consultation with Dr Berg, send an email to drericberg@hotmail.com for booking.