Dr. Grossman’s Blog

Taking fish oil every day can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.

A study published in The Journal of Nutrition studied women with early breast stage breast cancer who took omega fatty acids EPA and DHA in the form of both seafood and dietary supplements.  Women who took the most EPA and DHA were 25% less likely to suffer from further breast cancers compared to those in the study who took markedly less of the omega-3s.  Source: http://jn.nutrition.org/content/141/2/201.short?rss=1

This is great news – and it just adds to the already ample evidence about the benefits of fish oils.  Studies have also shown that omega-3 fatty acids can help ward off macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, and dry eye syndrome, just to name a few.  Visit our research pages to learn more about how supplements and nutrition can benefit your eyes and the rest of your body.

image via nassaucountyny.gov

The European Commission is standing behind the claims that omega-3s help infants’ brain and vision development. The claims relate to both intake by the mother during pregnancy and lactation as well as directly by the baby.

The statements relate to specific compounds found in the fatty acids:

• ALA contributes to the brain development of children
• DHA has a structural and functional role in the retina and DHA intake contributes to the visual development of infants up to 12 months of age
• DHA has a structural and functional role in the retina and maternal DHA intake contributes to the normal development of the eye of the foetus and breastfed infants
• DHA has a structural and functional role in the brain and maternal DHA intake contributes to the normal brain development of the foetus and breastfed infants

Source: http://www.nutraingredients.com/Regulation/EC-to-confirm-infant-and-child-omega-3-claims

Not all fish oil is created equal, so consider your choices and be sure to go with a quality product.  The Natural Eye Care Vision Store has many products you can trust.

Scientists at the Laboratory for Nutrition and Vision Research have found that the regular consumption of specific “protective nutrients” in conjunction with  a low-glycemic-index, or “slow carb,” diet protected study participants from age-related macular degeneration. A food’s glycemic index is an indicator of how fast the carbohydrate it contains will spike blood sugar levels.

Vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, and the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA taken as part of a diet rich in low-glycemic-index foods reduced the risk of developing AMD.

Source: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2010/100701.htm

For more ways to eat your way to healthier vision, please click here.

A 2007 study showed the low levels of Vitamin D3 is linked to an increase in the pevalence of macular degeneration.

Ref: Parekh N, Chappell RJ, Millen AE, Albert DM, Mares JA. Association Between Vitamin D and Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988 Through 1994. Arch Ophthalmol. May 2007;125: 661-669.

Editor’s Note: For more related studies on nutrition and macular degeneration, go to www.naturaleyecare.com/studies_bydisease.asp?s_num=8&disease=Macular+Degeneration

Researchers have released a new study showing that regular consumption of fish, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and nuts helps protect against age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The study, published in the Archives of Ophthalmology, assessed the relationship between dietary fatty acids and the 10-year incident of AMD.

Scientists examined 3654 elderly Australian participants at baseline and re-examined 2454 of these participants five and/or ten years later.  Participants completed a food frequency questionnaire.

The findings confirmed many previous studies on AMD.  After adjusting for age, sex, and smoking:

• one serving of fish per week was associated with reduced risk of early AMD primarily among participants with less than the median linoleic acid consumption
• findings were similar for consumption of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids:  one to two servings of nuts per week was associated with reduced risk of early AMD 
• protective associations between nut consumption and reduced risk of pigmentary abnormalities were seen among nonsmokers, participants with less than the median ratio of serum total to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and those with beta carotene intake greater than the median level.

This study provides evidence of protection against early AMD through:

• regular consumption of fish and nuts
• greater consumption of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids
• low intakes of foods rich in linoleic acid

Read more about AMD and natural eye care

Learn which foods to eat to help maintain good eye health

SOURCE:  Dietary Fatty Acids and the 10-Year Incidence of Age-Related Macular Degeneration, The Blue Mountains Eye Study, Tan, et al, Arch Ophthalmol. 2009;127(5):656-665.

Researchers from Tufts University have found that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and low in starchy carbohydrates can significantly reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The study, published in the journal Ophthalmology, is the first to calculate the combined effect of specific dietary nutrients and eating habits on a person’s risk for age-related macular degeneration.

During the study of 4003 participants in the ongoing Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), each dietary factor was assigned a percentile score; these scores were accumulated to find each participant’s compound score. The compound score was then evaluated for its association with the risk of AMD.

Researchers showed that vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin and the omega-3 fatty acids known as D.H.A. and E.P.A. were linked to lower risk for AMD.

The lowest risk of AMD was found in participants who regularly consumed a combination of these nutrients as part of a low-glycemic index diet.

The glycemic index (GI) is a measure of the effects of carbohydrates on blood glucose levels. Carbohydrates that break down rapidly during digestion, such as white bread and pastries, have a higher GI, as they release glucose into the bloodstream rapidly. Foods that break down more slowly, such as vegetables and proteins, have a lower GI value.

Read more about AMD on the Natural Eye Care website

Learn more about food sources for nutrients important for good eye health, including omega-3 fatty acids

SOURCE: “Dietary Compound Score and Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study”, Chiu, et al, Ophthalmology, Volume 116, Issue 5, Pages 939-946.

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that eating one portion of omega-3 fatty acid-rich fish per week may reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by over 50 percent.

2,275 people over 65 years of age participated in the EUREYE Study. They were given eye exams and completed a food frequency questionnaire.

Researchers found that oily fish was consumed less than once per week by 64% of the study population, once per week by 25%, and twice per week or more by 12%.

Those eating oily fish at least once per week had a 50% reduced risk of a type of AMD called neovascular AMD (NV-AMD), while those eating oily fish at least twice per week had a 58% reduced risk.

Good choices for fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids are cold water oily fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies and sardines.

Read other research showing the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for healthy vision

Learn more about natural omega-3 vision supplements

SOURCE: Augood, et al; Oily fish consumption, dietary docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid intakes, and associations with neovascular age-related macular degeneration; Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 88, No. 2, 398-406, August 2008.

Data in US Twin Study also shows consumption of fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids helps fight AMD

In a study of male twins, research shows that those who smoke have an increased risk of developing age-related macular degeneration.  Men who ate more fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids had a lower risk of developing the disease.

Researchers collected data on 681 elderly male twins from the National Academy of Sciences National Research Council World War II Veteran Twin Registry.  The twins were given an eye exam and completed a food frequency and a risk-factor questionnaire.  222 of the twins had intermediate and late-stage age-related macular degeneration, while 459 of the twins had no signs of the disease.

The study showed that current smokers had a 1.9-fold increased risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, while past smokers had about a 1.7-fold increased risk.

Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids from fish reduced the risk of AMD, particularly if two or more servings of fish were consumed each week.

Although researchers noted that genetics are important in determining who will get AMD, lifestyle choices, such as smoking, play a role as well. 

What can you do to reduce your risk of AMD?  Eat a healthy diet, including omega-3 fatty acids from fish such as mackerel, lake trout, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon.  Experts also recommend exercising, refraining from smoking, and maintaining a normal healthy weight.

Learn more about Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Read more studies about the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for healthy vision

SOURCE:  Seddon, et al; Cigarette Smoking, Fish Consumption, Omega-3 Fatty Acid Intake, and Associations With Age-Related Macular Degeneration; Arch Ophthalmol. 2006;124:995-1001.

Glaucoma is the result of damage to the optic nerve, often caused by increased pressure in the eye (“intraocular pressure”). This can happen when extra fluid builds up inside the eye (the eye makes too much fluid or does not drain well), and may happen after an eye injury, after eye surgery, or due to an eye tumor. Studies also indicate a possible link between heavy computer use and glaucoma, especially for computer users farsighted or nearsighted to begin with. Also, some medicines, such as corticosteroids used to treat other diseases may cause glaucoma.

Studies conducted at the University of Melbourne, Australia, in 2007 suggest that adding Omega-3 fatty acids to your diet can reduce the excessive intraocular pressure that causes most glaucoma.

In laboratory experiments groups of rats were raised on diets that contained sufficient or deficient amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. The omega-3 rich diet contained (in a 5.5/1/.5 ratio):

• Safflower oil
• Flaxseed oil
• Tuna oil

The omega-3 deficient diet contained:

• Safflower oil only

Those rats raised on high omega-3 diets had a 13% decrease in intraocular pressure at 40 weeks of age. This lower pressure in the omega-3-rich group was associated with an increase in aqueous humor outflow—that fluid occupying the space between the crystalline lens and the cornea of the eye—and a decrease in ocular rigidity.

These results suggest that increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids over time, can reduce intraocular pressures that may cause glaucoma.

Note: Glaucoma can be difficult to detect until a significant amount of vision is lost. Most individuals with undiagnosed glaucoma do not suffer any symptoms, not even a reduction in peripheral vision. Regular eye exams should be utilized to detect potential problems.

Read what others say about natural products that help glaucoma.

Resources:
Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2007 Feb; 48(2):756-62. Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.

There will be a free teleconference on macular degeneration and ways to preserve vision through nutrition, diet and lifestyle considerations on Thursday night, June 19, 2008 at 8:00 pm. The teleconference will be lead by Dr. Marc Grossman, leading holistic eye doctor.

To enroll, go to www.naturaleyecare.com and click on “Free Teleconference”.