Delray Beach, FL (PRWEB) September 04, 2012
In part II of a health alert series on vision, HealthyAnswers.com reports on DHA – an omega-3 fatty acid that protects eyes against ARMD (age related macular degeneration). They relate that ARMD is a vision-robbing condition that can show symptoms as early as age 40 but getting enough DHA – docosohexanoic acid – can prevent it. HealthyAnswers.com explains that eyes benefit so greatly from DHA because they are comprised of a high percentage of DHA-containing fat – especially the retina. And, because they are so high in fat content, they are more susceptible to damage by free radicals and need higher levels of antioxidants to combat them. Vitamins like beta carotene, Vitamin D3, and Vitamin E, are very beneficial to eye health because they are fat soluble and are absorbed by the eye tissues.
HealthyAnswers.com resident expert Mark Rosenberg, M.D., explains the critical importance of DHA to eye tissues and vision. “The brain and the eyes are comprised of a high percentage of DHA containing fat. Research cited as far back as 2000 (Archives of Ophthalmology 118, March 2000: 401-404) had shown that even moderate level consumption of DHA-rich fatty fish, like salmon, mackerel, etc, offered increased protection against age-related macular degeneration. Other research from 2008 (Docosahexaenoic acid prevents apoptosis of retina photo receptors by activating the ERK/MAPK pathway. J Neurochem, 2006 Sep;98(5):1507-20.) shows DHA protects the photoreceptors of the eye that enable the retina to perceive light and color. It also protects the epithelial lining of the retina and creates neuroprotectin D1, both a powerful retinal antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that protects retinal cells from damage that leads to ARMD. More recent research from 2012 (Dietary docosahexaenoic acid supplementation prevents age-related functional losses and A2E accumulation in the retina. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012 Apr 24;53(4):2256-65) shows DHA protects against the age-related decline in retinal function.”
Read the full article on DHA and vision here.
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