| Were you aware the connection between omega | | | | the stage for inflammation throughout the body. |
| 3 and retina health was recently expanded when | | | | About 60% of the polyunsaturated fatty acids in |
| researchers showed that it could prevent | | | | the retina are DHAs (Docosahexaenoic acid). DHA |
| age-related macular degeneration or AMD? Here's | | | | is found only in some kinds of fish, some types |
| a little bit about AMD and omega-3s. | | | | of seafood, fish oil and some varieties of |
| AMD is the most common cause of vision loss | | | | seaweed. If your diet includes none of those |
| among the elderly. Although it does not usually | | | | things, you are not getting any DHA in your diet. |
| cause complete blindness, central vision is lost. | | | | This is the likely connection between omega 3 and |
| Losing your central vision is like having something | | | | retina disease in the US. Americans tend to eat |
| in front of your face all of the time. But, when | | | | more beef, chicken, pork and other meats. Those |
| you turn your head it follows you. You cannot | | | | provide some omega-3s, but not DHA. |
| look around it. If you turn your eyes, the blind | | | | AMD is a degenerative eye disease. It progresses, |
| spot moves with you. All that you have is your | | | | because the body does not continue to repair |
| peripheral vision. You have to learn not to look | | | | damage done to the macula as it should. The |
| directly at something, if you want to be able to | | | | current theory is that a low intake of essential |
| see it. | | | | nutrients is the reason that the body stops its |
| The condition makes using a computer, reading or | | | | repair work. |
| taking care of bills difficult, if not impossible. Even | | | | In studies concerning omega 3 and retina health, |
| meal preparation and eating are taxing. Most | | | | researchers found that DHA supplements slow |
| people with AMD need assistance to stay in their | | | | the degradation and provide some improvement |
| homes. | | | | in central vision. There suggestion is that |
| The retina is the light-gathering structure that lines | | | | supplementation may help prevent AMD. |
| the inside of the eye. The macula is a point on | | | | If you would like to take an omega-3 supplement |
| the retina, near the back of the eye. The retinal | | | | to reduce your risk of AMD, remember to look |
| lining and the macula specifically are composed of | | | | for fish oil or algae oil. The flax seed supplements |
| polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids and other | | | | do not contain DHA. |
| compounds. There's your first connection | | | | Many other benefits are associated with increased |
| between omega 3 and retina health. Omega-3s | | | | DHA intake. But, it is important to choose your |
| are essential polyunsaturated fatty acids. They | | | | supplements carefully. Some are far better than |
| must be present in the diet in order for the body | | | | others. |
| to repair organs and tissues. | | | | Now that you know a little more about the |
| The typical American diet provides far more | | | | connection between omega 3 and retina health, |
| omega-6s than 3s. In some cases, people | | | | you might want to take the time to learn about |
| consume 40 times more 6s than 3s. While both | | | | choosing the best supplements. |
| are essential, this drastic imbalance in intakes sets | | | | |