|
Home » Eye Health
Your eye health and Omega-3 fatty acids
Narinder Duggal, MD, FRCPC
Omega-3 fatty acids are a family of polyunsaturated fatty acids, considered essential for human health. They cannot be synthesized in the body and therefore must be obtained from dietary sources.1 A growing body of scientific research indicates that these essential fatty acids provide a wide range of health benefits. Better visual function in all stages of life is one of these benefits.
In pregnancy and lactation:
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for the fetal development. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the most important omega-3 fatty acid, is an important component of neural and retinal membranes. It rapidly accumulates in the brain during gestation and the postnatal period. There is a positive association between omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and/or lactation and visual and cognitive development.2, 3 Trials have shown that a higher maternal DHA intake during pregnancy is favorable for the visual and cognitive development of an infant.4-7
Studies have disclosed that DHA is needed for optimum maturation function of the retina and visual cortex.1 Better infant visual functions have been reported with higher DHA levels in breast milk.8 Moreover, results of a recent randomized controlled trial have concluded that DHA supplementation in infants improves visual acuity.9 The authors of this study found that the infants who were supplemented with DHA had significantly better visual acuity at age of 1 year than their counterparts who were not DHA-supplemented.
In childhood:
Increasing evidence from epidemiological and intervention studies have indicated that DHA supplementation during childhood plays an important role for better visual function in healthy children as well as children with phenylketonuria (PKU), a genetic disorder, characterized by an inability of the body to utilize the essential amino acid, phenylalanine.10, 11 The findings by Koletzko et al in 2009 involving PKU children showed that fish oil supplementation significantly improved visual function of the children.11
During adulthood:
Clinical studies have suggested that omega-3 fatty acids may slow the progression of vision loss from age-related macular degeneration and reverse the signs of dry eye syndrome.12
Dry eye
Dry eye (DE) is a multifactorial condition that affects the surface of the eye and induces an inflammatory response. Evidence suggests that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation is beneficial in the prevention and treatment of dry eye disease.13, 14 Omega-3 fatty acids have an anti-inflammatory action in the lacrimal gland, preventing the apoptosis of secretory epithelial cells. It also prevents meibomitis, inflammation of meibomian glands located in eyelids that provide lubrication for the eyes. Thus, it helps to protect the tear film and cornea.15
Animal studies have shown that DHA and EPA, the essential omega-3 fatty acids, have the potential to prevent the course of dry eye by inhibiting the increase in PGE(1) and PGE(2) levels, which play a key role in diseases associated with inflammation.16 Studies also show that resolvins, compounds derived from EPA, increase tear volume and decrease inflammation induced by dry eye.17
A 2005 study regarding dry eye syndrome in women concluded that a higher ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid consumption is associated with significantly increased risk of dry eye syndrome. The study suggested that a higher intake of omega-3 fatty acid can help in decreasing the incidence of dry eye in women.18
Researchers have also suggested that the topical application of omega-3 fatty acids could be useful in treating dry eye after refractive surgery and prevent clinical complications such as cornea erosion and ulcerations.17, 19
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness among the elder adults. Recently, it has been proposed that the omega-3 fatty acid metabolites, resolvins and protectins, function as endogenous anti-inflammatory compounds and are helpful for regulating the inflammatory responses in AMD.20 Low levels of DHA have been reported to be associated with AMD risk.21
Epidemiological studies have shown that a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids can slow disease progression in patients with advanced AMD.22 Results of an animal study demonstrated that the mice, which were on a high omega-3 fatty acid diet showed a slower progression of retinal lesions as compared to their counterparts on low omega-3 fatty acid diet. Some mice even had lesion reversion after a high omega-3 diet.22
Greater consumption of omega-3 fatty acids provides protection against early AMD, concludes the Blue Mountains Eye Study. This Australian study involved more than 3600 participants for a period of 10 years.23 Another cohort study in 1990-1994, involving more than 6500 participants aged 58 to 69 years, provided similar conclusions. It was observed that a diet low in trans-unsaturated fat and rich in omega-3 fatty acids and olive oil may reduce the risk of AMD.24
In blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction
In 2008, Macsai et al prospectively evaluated patients with blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids. This trial demonstrated a decrease in the RBC and plasma ratios of omega-6 to omega-3 in patients taking omega-3 dietary supplementation. Moreover, there was a significant improvement in their meibomian gland health.25
Conclusion:
Data from these studies show that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation plays a unique role in supporting better eye health in all age groups. Include an omega-3 supplement in your diet to ensure better vision throughout life. Synergy Therapeutics Rx offers Epacor, the highest quality, most potent enteric coated omega-3 supplement. “Visit our products page and you can buy Epacor today”. Epacor is derived from the purest marine lipid concentrate, containing 660 mg of EPA and 340 mg of DHA per serving and can help maintain omega-3 fatty acid levels for optimal visual acuity and eye health.
References:
1. Chang CY, Ke DS, Chen JY. Essential fatty acids and human brain. Acta Neurol Taiwan 2009;18(4):231-41. (PUBMED Abstract)
2. Cetin I, Koletzko B. Long-chain omega-3 fatty acid supply in pregnancy and lactation. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 2008;11(3):297-302. (PUBMED Abstract)
3. Jensen CL. Effects of n-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and lactation. Am J Clin Nutr 2006;83(6 Suppl):1452S-7S. (PUBMED Abstract)
4. Decsi T, Koletzko B. N-3 fatty acids and pregnancy outcomes. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 2005;8(2):161-6. (PUBMED Abstract)
5. Innis SM. Essential fatty acid transfer and fetal development. Placenta 2005;26 Suppl A:S70-5. (PUBMED Abstract)
6. Meng LP, Zhang J, Zhao WH. [Relationship between maternal DHA intake and DHA status and development of fetus and infant]. Wei Sheng Yan Jiu 2005;34(2):231-3. (PUBMED Abstract)
7. Innis SM. Dietary omega 3 fatty acids and the developing brain. Brain Res 2008;1237:35-43. (PUBMED Abstract) (PUBMED Abstract)
8. Jensen CL, Lapillonne A. Docosahexaenoic acid and lactation. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2009;81(2-3):175-8. (PUBMED Abstract)
9. Birch EE, Carlson SE, Hoffman DR, et al. The DIAMOND (DHA Intake And Measurement Of Neural Development) Study: a double-masked, randomized controlled clinical trial of the maturation of infant visual acuity as a function of the dietary level of docosahexaenoic acid. Am J Clin Nutr;91(4):848-59. (PUBMED Abstract)
10. Ryan AS, Astwood JD, Gautier S, et al. Effects of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on neurodevelopment in childhood: a review of human studies. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids;82(4-6):305-14. (PUBMED Abstract)
11. Koletzko B, Beblo S, Demmelmair H, et al. Does dietary DHA improve neural function in children? Observations in phenylketonuria. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2009;81(2-3):159-64. (PUBMED Abstract)
12. Cakiner-Egilmez T. Omega 3 fatty acids and the eye. Insight 2008;33(4):20-5; quiz 6-7. (PUBMED Abstract)
13. Creuzot C, Passemard M, Viau S, et al. [Improvement of dry eye symptoms with polyunsaturated fatty acids]. J Fr Ophtalmol 2006;29(8):868-73. (PUBMED Abstract)
14. Rosenberg ES, Asbell PA. Essential fatty acids in the treatment of dry eye. Ocul Surf;8(1):18-28. (PUBMED Abstract)
15. Roncone M, Bartlett H, Eperjesi F. Essential fatty acids for dry eye: A review. Cont Lens Anterior Eye;33(2):49-54; quiz 100. (PUBMED Abstract)
16. Viau S, Maire MA, Pasquis B, et al. Efficacy of a 2-month dietary supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids in dry eye induced by scopolamine in a rat model. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2009;247(8):1039-50. (PUBMED Abstract)
17. He J, Bazan HE. Omega-3 fatty acids in dry eye and corneal nerve regeneration after refractive surgery. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids;82(4-6):319-25. (PUBMED Abstract)
18. Miljanovic B, Trivedi KA, Dana MR, et al. Relation between dietary n-3 and n-6 fatty acids and clinically diagnosed dry eye syndrome in women. Am J Clin Nutr 2005;82(4):887-93. (PUBMED Abstract)
19. Rashid S, Jin Y, Ecoiffier T, et al. Topical omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for treatment of dry eye. Arch Ophthalmol 2008;126(2):219-25. (PUBMED Abstract)
20. Kaarniranta K, Salminen A. NF-kappaB signaling as a putative target for omega-3 metabolites in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Exp Gerontol 2009;44(11):685-8. (PUBMED Abstract)
21. Johnson EJ, Schaefer EJ. Potential role of dietary n-3 fatty acids in the prevention of dementia and macular degeneration. Am J Clin Nutr 2006;83(6 Suppl):1494S-8S. (PUBMED Abstract)
22. Tuo J, Ross RJ, Herzlich AA, et al. A high omega-3 fatty acid diet reduces retinal lesions in a murine model of macular degeneration. Am J Pathol 2009;175(2):799-807. (PUBMED Abstract)
23. Tan JS, Wang JJ, Flood V, Mitchell P. Dietary fatty acids and the 10-year incidence of age-related macular degeneration: the Blue Mountains Eye Study. Arch Ophthalmol 2009;127(5):656-65. (PUBMED Abstract)
24. Chong EW, Robman LD, Simpson JA, et al. Fat consumption and its association with age-related macular degeneration. Arch Ophthalmol 2009;127(5):674-80. (PUBMED Abstract)
25. Macsai MS. The role of omega-3 dietary supplementation in blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction (an AOS thesis). Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc 2008;106:336-56. (PUBMED Abstract)
|
|
Shopping Cart : 0 Items
Product Categories
