Omega-3 Fatty Acid's Relationship with Macular Degeneration...

Omega 3-fatty acids and Macular Degeneration..Omega 3 fats are essential for nerve conduction in the retina. They also help reduce cholesterol, thus helping to maintain the blood vessels of the retina open.On March 15, 2011, the Harvard University released the results of a study conducted on omega 3 fats and age macular degeneration (AMD).The study performed a dietary analysis on more than 38,000 women. No men were included in the study. All of the participants were in their 40 s at the time of enrollment in 1993, and none had AMD at the study’s start. Eye health was also tracked over the course of a decade, during which time 235 women developed AMD. 

The researchers found that women with the highest intake of EPA and DHA (both fatty acids found in fish), had a 38% lower risk of age macular degeneration. The study found that women who ate one or more servings of fish every week had a 42 percent lower risk of AMD than those who consumed fish just once a month or less. The lower risk was linked to consumption of canned tuna and fatty fish such as salmon,sardines, mackerel, etc.

The author of the study, Dr. William G. Christen, indicates that“Fish oil, that is the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, that have long been thought to be protective against cardiovascular disease may also be of significant benefit in the primary prevention of age macular degeneration among women who have no disease or have undetected early signs of disease, and have not yet been diagnosed with AMD.”

At the same time, the authors of the study suggest that higher consumption of one omega-6 fatty acids (linoleic acid) can increase the risk of macular degeneration, although they didn’t seem to think it was highly significant.

For more information about this article, to learn about other therapies, or about the Macular Degeneration Association, please visit us at http://www.maculardegenerationassociation.org/ As always please consult your physician before beginning a new diet or health regime. The Macular Degeneration Association is please to announce our next educational conference: New Treatments for Wet and Dry Macular Degeneration on Saturday, April 30th, 2011 in Winter Haven, Fl. To learn more about this conference please visit us on the web. The Spring Educational Symposium will cover all the latest treatments and information about macular degeneration including genetic testing. Genetic Testing will be available for those individuals that show signs of macular degeneration or have been diagnosed with this disease. We look forward to seeing you there. Thank you for your continued support.
Resources: by: Emilia Klapp