By Kevin DiDonato MS, CSCS, CES
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats found in fish and in plant-based foods in the form of ALA.
Omega-3 fatty acids, research shows, could improve certain health parameters associated with your heart health, mental health, and eye health.
According to a new study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology, the consumption of fish and omega-3 fatty acids could decrease your risk for developing age-related macular degeneration in older adults.
Let me explain…
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
AMD is a form of macular degeneration that affects the elderly (over the age of 50), and could account for a majority of vision loss or impairment in elderly individuals.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) causes a loss of central vision (the macular region), due to damage to your retina.
Even though there is a loss of central vision, your peripheral (side) vision is usually left unaffected.
There are two different causes for age-related macular degeneration: a “wet” and a “dry” cause.
The “wet” cause involves the growth of blood vessels up and behind the retina, which could cause your retina to become detached. “Wet” macular degeneration affects roughly 10% of all cases.
Recently, medications have been developed that could slow, stop, or reverse the growth of these vessels, which could significantly improve symptoms.
In the “dry” cause, there is a build-up of cellular particles behind the retina, leading to the detachment of the retina.
There is no known treatment or cure for “dry” age-related macular degeneration.
Age-related macular degeneration, research shows, is the number one impairment in older adults.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and AMD
Researchers were interested in seeing if omega-3 fatty acid intake was associated with a lower risk for developing age-related macular degeneration.
They sent a detailed questionnaire to 39,876 women healthcare professionals, of which 38,022 of them answered the questionnaire.
The average age of the participants was 54, and they were free from any type of macular degeneration.
The researchers noted over the course of 10 years, only 235 women developed macular degeneration due to either a build-up of drusen or due to retinal pigment changes.
They noted that women who had the highest intake of DHA and EPA, showed a decreased risk for developing AMD.
When it came to eating fish, women who ate fish once per week, compared to once per month, showed a significant decrease in their risk for AMD.
The researchers concluded that women who regularly consumed fish and the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, significantly reduced their risk for developing age-related macular degeneration.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Eye Health
Omega-3 fatty acids are powerful fatty acids, which have shown promise for many different health conditions.
From heart health, to mental health, and now to eye health, including omega-3 fatty acids could help to prevent many ailments associated with aging.
Now, omega-3 fatty acids have been shown by research as a potential option for the prevention of age-related macular degeneration.