Vision Problems? Can Fish Oil Help?

The connection between omega-3 fish oil and vision is just a little complicated, but I'll try to keep it simple. The way that fish oil benefits eyes has to do with the composition of the interior lining of the eye, a light gathering mechanism called the retina. The retina is involved in a number of vision problems and severe damage to it can cause blindness.

Below, you will see some of the conditions that are benefitted by omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, as well as those that may be prevented by it. But first, let me try to explain why it works.

The Fish Oil and Vision Connection Explained

Fish oil benefits eyes because it contains an omega-3 fat that is not found in other dietary sources. That fat is Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA. DHA accounts for 60% of the fatty acids in the retina.

Think about it this way. If you were going to bake a cake, but you only had 40% of the ingredients, it wouldn't turn out too well. Certain parts of the body, including cells, tissues, fibers and some organs, are regularly regenerated or replaced. If the body does not have the necessary "ingredients", the replacement process runs amok. DHA is one of the ingredients necessary for regular replacement of the cells of the retina.

Normal Visual Development

Most vision problems that occur during infancy or childhood are due to nutritional deficiencies. Research concerning fish oil and vision in infancy has proven that the visual acuity of infants develops more quickly when their mother gets enough DHA during pregnancy. Human breast milk is rich in DHA, but until recently, infant formulas did not contain the fatty acid. Now, most of them do. Again, if the body does not have the necessary ingredients, it cannot construct a retina.

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

AMD is one of the causes of vision problems in the elderly. It is the primary cause of blindness in the elderly.

In AMD, the macula, which is a small point in the back of the retina, responsible for central vision, becomes covered with hardened plaques. Research indicates that increasing your omega-3 intake may prevent it. Knowing the way that fish oil benefits eyes, it is not difficult to understand why deterioration of the macula could be prevented with omega-3s, but, what about that plaque?

As it turns out, the plaques are composed of oxidized triglycerides and one of the risk factors for AMD is high blood triglycerides. Omega-3 supplementation has been shown to reduce blood triglycerides, significantly, and helps prevent oxidation, throughout the body.

Other Vision Problems that May Benefit From Supplementation

Once you understand the way that fish oil benefits eyes, it is easy to assume that any vision problems would be benefitted by supplementation, particularly since omega-3s are lacking in most modern diets.

Studies concerning fish oil and vision have shown that the following conditions may be improved or prevented with supplementation:

? Cataracts
? Diabetic retinopathy
? Retinal detachment

The way that fish oil benefits eyes is not that unusual. It is beneficial to many other areas of the body, too. Now that you know a little more about fish oil and vision, you might want to learn about some of the other beneficial effects. You can never have too much information when it comes to your health.

And now please visit the XtendFishOil website listed below for updated information on benefits of fish oil and vision and preventing eye vision problems.

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