Fish Oils Help The Retina
Omega-3 acids can decrease the
risk of retinal diseases
Omega-3 fatty acids
in fish oil have been found to play an important
role in protecting cells in the retina from
degenerative diseases like
retinitis pigmentosa and
age-related macular degeneration, the leading
cause of loss of vision in those older than 65.
In degenerative eye diseases like age-related
macular degeneration, photoreceptor cells break down
and die. This cell death is mostly attributed
to exposure to potentially damaging sunlight and
high oxygen tension.
The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells
in the retina carry the Omega-3 fatty acid that
combats cell damage. The RPE absorbs and
stores the Omega-3, found in cold water fish,
whenever the fish is eaten.
Australian studies have shown that eating fish twice
a week was associated with a reduced risk of both
early and late AMD.
When results from multiple Australian studies were
combined, a high dietary intake of omega-3 fatty
acids was associated with a 38 percent reduction in
the risk of the more advanced cases of AMD,
while eating fish twice a week was associated with a
reduced risk of both early and late AMD.
So speak with your doctor about it, then make an
effort to include foods rich in Omega-3 oils into
your diet. Your eyes will thank you.
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