Seeing Is Believing: Fatty Acid in OMEGA 3 - Fish Oil May Slow Vision Loss

LifeSource Vitamins

A fatty acid found in Omega 3 (fish oil) (docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA), may slow the rate of vision loss in people with an eye disease known as retinitis pigmentosa (RP), reports the American Journal of Ophthalmology (2004;137:704-18).

RP is a group of diseases that affect the back of the inner part of the eye, called the retina. The retina contains cells called rods and cones that receive and process visual images. Rods enable vision in lower light, while cones pick up colors and enable sharp vision. As these cells in the retina are damaged by RP, night blindness, tunnel vision, and eventually total blindness may occur. There are several forms of RP; most are the result of gene mutations. Diet, stress, and individual metabolism influence the severity of the disease.

DHA, which is found in high amounts in the rods and cones of the eye, is necessary for proper vision development. Fish oil is a rich dietary source of DHA. The body can make smaller amounts of DHA from another fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid, which is found in vegetable sources like flaxseed oil, soybean oil, and canola oil. Animal studies have shown a relationship between blood levels of DHA and levels of DHA in the retina, suggesting that higher intake of DHA or alpha-linolenic acid might increase DHA concentrations in the retina. People with RP have lower levels of DHA in the blood than people without the disease.

Click here to see all Omega’s at LifeSource Vitamins

The current study examined a form of the disease that only affects males (called X-linked RP) and assessed how DHA affects its progression. Forty-one people completed the four-year trial. The participants were randomly assigned to take either 400 mg of DHA from fish oil per day or a placebo. Vision and retinal health were assessed to determine the response to taking DHA.

The group that took DHA had DHA blood levels that were two-and-a-half times higher than the levels in the placebo group. Overall, the rate of disease progression was not statistically different between the two groups; however, among the group that took DHA, those people who had the highest DHA blood levels had a slower rate of disease progression. DHA also significantly reduced the rate of rod loss in boys younger than 12 years old, and preserved cone function in those who were 12 years or older.

The results of this new study are encouraging for people with RP, as some benefit was associated with taking DHA. The amount of DHA used in this study was relatively small; more than three times as much has been used to treat other diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Further studies are warranted to see if better results can be obtained with larger amounts of DHA. Other studies have shown that taking vitamin A may slow the progression of RP.

Proudly Made in the USA!

Every LifeSource Vitamins product exceeds all regulatory standards and requirements set forth in the FDA's Code of Federal Regulation. ( 21 CFR, part 111 ) as well as all Good Manufacturing Practices enforced by the FDA. CGMP's provide for systems that assure proper design, monitoring, and control of manufacturing processes and facilities. ( CGMP ).

LifeSource Vitamins: Driven by Faith ~ Powered by God

Have Questions on this or any other product or health issue for you or a loved one? It can be overwhelming we know. Call us, we will walk you through what supplements will help you and which ones you really don’t need. It’s what we do! Toll-Free: 800-567-8122

LifeSource Vitamins – Founded in 1992

100% of our profits are donated to Christian Organizations like these and many others worldwide:

Campus Crusade for Christ - CRU

The Jesus Film Project

World Vision

The Tim Tebow Foundation

Compassion International

Samaritan’s Purse

The Herman and Sharron Show on CTN (Christian Television Network) and many more…

www.LifesourceVitamins.com

E-mail Us: [email protected]

or Call Us: 800.567.8122

We Are Built on Compassion - Driven by Faith & Powered by God!

*Disclaimer: None of the above statements have been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. As always, consult your physician before taking any and all supplements. LifeSource Vitamins. Individual results may vary.

Disclaimer: All the information contained throughout this website is based upon the opinions of the founder of LifeSource Vitamins, Bruce Brightman, and the entire team at LifeSource Vitamins whose relentless research and studies have been ongoing since 1992. Other articles and information are based on the opinions of the authors, who retain the copyright as marked in the article. The information on this site is not intended to replace your health care professional, but to enhance your relationship with them. Doing your own studying and research and taking your health care into your own hands is always best, especially in partnership with your health care professional.

If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have any medical conditions, always consult your health care professional before taking supplements based on the information on this site.

LifeSource Vitamins: from the nutrients we choose, to the way we run our business, we answer to God in all we do!