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Omega-3 For Better Eyes At Any Age

Omega-3 fatty acids are common in the retina of the human eye. DHA, one of the omega-3 group, is the major fat in retinal tissue. This has lead researchers to take a closer look at what this means to healthy vision.

What they've found is that omega-3 fatty acids are important for good vision at all ages. DHA is used by the photoreceptor cells of the retina. Studies show that Omega-3 deficiencies in the diet lead to problems with vision.

DHA and EPA, the Omega-3 fatty acids, are not produced by your body. In order to get these "essential" nutrients, you need to make sure that they are included in your diet. While many adults include plenty of fats in their daily meals, they often miss the healthy ones. Fish, especially shellfish, walnuts and wheat germ are a few of the good sources of Omega-3.

The Omega-3 essential fatty acids help to build and maintain healthy vision. They are important at all stages and ages from developing vision in babies to keeping your eyes working well as you age.

Dr. Bruce Holub, an expert on the benefits of omega-3 in the diet say, "Mom’s who take omega-3 fatty acids have babies with better vision." Professor Sheila Innis from the Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, conducted a study with 100 pregnant women who received either 400 mg supplemental DHA Omega-3 fatty acid or a placebo every day during the 16th to 36th weeks of pregnancy.

When infants were tested at 2 months of age the babies whose mom's has the DHA showed better visual accuity than the placebo group. Professor Innis said, “...it is clear that ...providing additional DHA can have positive effects, at least on early measure of infant development...”

The benefits of Omega-3 are so important to babies, that many experts suggest making sure that you include foods that enrich your levels of these nutrients if you nurse a baby. Many infant formulas are now enriched with Omega-3 fatty acids to make sure that children will get enough in their daily diet.

A study with older adults found that more frequent consumption of the types of fish that are a rich source of Omega-3 DHA, appears to protect against late age-related macular degeneration (AMD) . (Archives of Ophthalmology 118 (March 2000): 401-404). Two other reports, published in the July, 2006 issue of the same journal found that the risk of developing AMD was lower for those who increased the amount of fish and omega-3 fatty acids in their diet.

The experts seem to agree that no matter what your age, getting the Omega-3 fatty acids your body needs will help you see better, longer.

More about Omega 3 around the Web...

• Macular Degeneration
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Pregnancy
• Research Highlights Risk Factors For Age-related Vision Loss
• DHA in Fish Oil Significantly Aids Infant Vision and Brain Development

also see -> Pregnancy & Nutrition

also see in Diseases -> ADD / ADHD | Macular Degeneration