The cells in your body have a membrane of fat, and this membrane must remain healthy in order for the cells to thrive and function properly. Omega-3 fatty acids may play a significant role in keeping the cell membranes healthy. Your body cannot produce omega-3, which means you rely on your nutritional intake or supplement intake for omega-3. This fatty acid may also help promote eye health by reducing your risk of certain eye conditions.
Dry Eye
Dry eye results when you do not have enough tears to adequately coat the surface of your eye, or if the tears your eyes produce are not good quality tears. Symptoms may include burning, itching, redness, foreign body sensation or blurry vision. Increasing your intake of omega-3 will not cure dry eye, but the fatty acid may help improve the symptoms.
Prevention
Omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce your risk or prevent certain eye conditions, such as macular degeneration. This disease results when the tissue cells of the macula, an area on the back of the eye, break down, resulting in permanent loss of vision. Omega-3 may also help slow down the growth of cataracts, a condition that results in a thickening of the natural lens near the front of your eye. In most cases, an advanced cataract will result in serious loss of vision, but surgical removal of the lens may restore vision.
Dietary Sources
Many foods contain omega-3 fatty acids. Fish, such as salmon, tuna and mackerel contain significant amounts of omega-3. Walnuts, flaxseed, flaxseed oil, canola oil and soybean oil also contains omega-3. Eating these types of fish at least twice a week and using walnuts, flaxseed and these oils in your daily cooking will provide significant sources for omega-3.
Supplements
You may decide to take fish oil capsules or flaxseed oil capsules to ensure that you have an adequate intake of omega-3. Fish oil and flaxseed oil also come in liquid form, allowing you to take it by the spoonful or to add to your meals. Many doctors recommend taking no more than 3 grams of omega-3 supplements each day.
Considerations
Talk with your eye doctor or health care provider before increasing your omega-3 intake, since these fatty acids may slow blood clotting. Omega-3 may also interfere with certain medications, such as those used to treat diabetes. Your doctor will help you determine if omega-3 is appropriate for your condition. If she thinks using omega-3 will offer health benefits, she will help you determine the appropriate dose.
Member Comments