Benefits of Omega 3 to Our Vision

Benefits of Omega 3 to Our Vision

(Today’s post is contributed by Leslie Degner, RN, BSN.  Her website is focused on Macular Degeneration.  Thank you Leslie for sharing this information on Fatty Acids.)

Fatty acids may improve macular degeneration.  The importance of omega-3 fatty acids for a healthy brain are well known. But you may not know that these essential fatty acids (EFAs) may benefit our vision as well. These fats are called essential fatty acids because without them we die and if we are deficient in them we suffer from inflammatory and degenerative diseases.

Because the human body does not have the ability to make these fatty acids, we must get these healthy fats from our diet or fish oil tablets or supplements. The three main types of omega-3 fatty acids are :

√ docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

√ eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)

√ alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)

Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) is an essential nutrient and a type of omega-3 fatty acid that has been studied for its role in brain, heart and eye health. Although it is found in most tissues throughout the body, the highest concentrations of DHA are in:

1) the brain,

2) the nervous system and

3) the retina.

Both DHA and EPA are long-chain fatty acids that protect against oxidative, inflammatory and age-related degenerative changes. These three damaging processes result in the development of age related macular degeneration..

Several studies have shown the correlation between omega 3 fatty acid consumption and the risk of macular degeneration. Increasing the amount of oily fish, such as salmon and mackerel, consumption to just 2 servings per week can reduce the risk of macular degeneration.

Researchers from Australia and Singapore published a study entitled, “Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acid and Fish Intake in the Primary Prevention of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” This meta-analysis consisted of a mathematical evaluation of the results from nine previous studies of nearly 89,000 people, of which more than 3000 developed macular degeneration.

The authors found that high dietary intake of fish oils was associated with a 38% reduction in the risk of late macular degeneration. Furthermore, people who ate fish twice weekly not only reduced their risk of late AMD, but also early AMD (soft drusen or retinal pigmentary changes).

Because of their apparent benefits, the National Eye Institute is currently performing the Age Related Eye Disease Study 2, which is looking at the benefit of supplementing with fish oil, and with the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin.

In the next article we will look at how to include fish oil in your diet through food and/or supplements.

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

www.WebRN-MacularDegeneration.com

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3 Comments
  • Pingback:Tweets that mention Omega 3 Fatty Acids For Macular Degeneration -- Topsy.com
    Posted at 15:38h, 22 July Reply

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Nathan Bonilla and Integrity Eye Care, Kresge Eye Institute. Kresge Eye Institute said: RT @retinadoc: Benefits of Omega 3 to Our Vision http://goo.gl/fb/YU1QO […]

  • Edward J.Bernhart DDS
    Posted at 14:09h, 25 August Reply

    I would sugest that besides just mentioning fish oil and Omega 3s you stress the importance of knowing that the Amount of DHA which you are proported to be receiving is actually what you are getting. In adittion I feel you must stress the need for purity besides the potency which I just refered to. Omega 3s must be screened for Hg, dioxins and PCBs. I would suggest that you refer to the IFOS web site (International Fish Oil Society) they independantly cer.tify purity and potency. I myself get my fish oil from Zonediet.com and have for the last 4 years. EJB

    • Randall V. Wong, M.D.
      Posted at 06:01h, 27 August Reply

      Dear Dr. Bernhart,

      Thanks for your comments. Sorry for the delay, just returned from a college dropoff.

      Randy

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