Fish Oil for Your Eyes?

By Dr. Allen S. Josephs
Co-Founder & Director, Vitacost.com

eyes Thursday, December 31, 2009 - One of my favorite nutrients, omega-3 essential fatty acids, highly regarded for its positive benefits for healthy cardiac function, mood and joint health, appears to have another benefit to add to its list--eye function.

In a recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers from the National Eye Institute (part of NIH), studied the effects of omega-3 fatty acids in regard to ocular health1. Researchers selected 1,837 individuals who had early signs of poor eye health and followed them on average for 12 years. At the end of the study, researchers concluded that individuals in the study who had consumed the highest amounts of omega-3 fatty acids were 30% less likely to experience the progression of poor ocular health when compared to those who consumed the lowest amounts. Researchers speculate that the omega-3 fatty acids appear to benefit eye health via their anti-inflammatory effect. Dr. SanGiovanni, the lead researcher indicated, "...our results, if confirmed by other studies and extended by clinical trials may guide the development of low cost, easily implemented and widely accepted interventions..." which could be used in prevention of poor ocular health.

Omega-3 essential fatty acids can be obtained by consuming fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, herring and sardines. The American Heart Association recommends a minimum of 2 servings or 8 oz. of fatty fish per week.

Unfortunately, on average Americans eat only about 3 oz. of fish per week. If you don't like fish or are concerned about contamination and potential toxins in fish, I suggest using fish oil supplements. They provide a healthy and convenient alternative to obtain these critically important nutrients. They're available in a wide variety of forms, including liquid, soft gel and even pudding.

Editor's Note: We feature Moxxor as the very best source of Omega 3 fish oils, from the New Zealand green lip mussel. Moxxor contains 158 times more useable Omega 3 than standard fish oil capsules.

1. Sangiovanni JP, Agrón E, Meleth AD, Reed GF, Sperduto RD, Clemons TE, Chew EY. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid intake and 12-y incidence of neovascular age-related macular degeneration and central geographic atrophy: AREDS report 30, a prospective cohort study from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. December 2009 90(6):1601-7.


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Fish Oil for Your Eyes? By Dr. Allen S. Josephs Co-Founder & Director, Vitacost.com Thursday, December 31, 2009 - One of my favorite nutrients, omega-3 essential fatty acids, highly regarded for its positive benefits for healthy cardiac function, mood and joint health, appears to have another benefit to add to its list--eye function. In a recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers from the National Eye Institute (part of NIH), studied the effects of omega-3 fatty acids in regard to ocular health1. Researchers selected 1,837 individuals who had early signs of poor eye health and followed them on average for 12 years. At the end of the study, researchers concluded that individuals in the study who had consumed the highest amounts of omega-3 fatty acids were 30% less likely to experience the progression of poor ocular health when compared to those who consumed the lowest amounts. Researchers speculate that the omega-3 fatty acids appear to benefit eye health via their anti-inflammatory effect. Dr. SanGiovanni, the lead researcher indicated, "...our results, if confirmed by other studies and extended by clinical trials may guide the development of low cost, easily implemented and widely accepted interventions..." which could be used in prevention of poor ocular health. Omega-3 essential fatty acids can be obtained by consuming fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, herring and sardines. The American Heart Association recommends a minimum of 2 servings or 8 oz. of fatty fish per week. Unfortunately, on average Americans eat only about 3 oz. of fish per week. If you don't like fish or are concerned about contamination and potential toxins in fish, I suggest using fish oil supplements. They provide a healthy and convenient alternative to obtain these critically important nutrients. They're available in a wide variety of forms, including liquid, soft gel and even pudding. Editor's Note: We feature Moxxor as the very best source of Omega 3 fish oils, from the New Zealand green lip mussel. Moxxor contains 158 times more useable Omega 3 than standard fish oil capsules. 1. Sangiovanni JP, Agrón E, Meleth AD, Reed GF, Sperduto RD, Clemons TE, Chew EY. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid intake and 12-y incidence of neovascular age-related macular degeneration and central geographic atrophy: AREDS report 30, a prospective cohort study from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. December 2009 90(6):1601-7.