A BOY went legally blind aged 17 after almost a decade of eating only bangers, chips, Pringles, white bread and processed ham.
The teen, who has not been named, told doctors that since elementary school, “he had a daily portion of fries from the local fish and chip shop and snacked on Pringles (Kellogg), white bread, processed ham slices, and sausage,” the study said.
The risks of poor nutrition are often associated with obesity, poor cardiovascular health and cancer, but Atan’s study warns that it can also have disastrous, and sometimes irreversible, effects on the nervous system, including vision.
The boy was first treated three years earlier by his family physician for “tiredness.” According to the report, the then-14 year old was a picky eater but was “otherwise well and took no medications.” Early testing showed he had low levels of vitamin B12 and macrocytic anemia, which were treated with B12 shots and “dietary advice.”
By 15, the boy’s hearing began failing, and then the vision complications arrived. Doctors could not determine what was causing either symptom.
Advice:
“It is important to eat a varied diet! There is not a single food that will provide all the vitamins and minerals you need – variety is the key.”