April 17, 2023 - EFA'S (Omega-3 Fatty Acid deficiencies are associated with diseases like diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and Vision Loss.)

April 17, 2023 Puzzle Piece

EFA'S (Omega-3 Fatty Acid deficiencies are associated with diseases like diabetes,
Alzheimer’s, and Vision Loss.)

EFA deficiencies are also a leading cause of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
 
OHS uses 3 sources to get the best blend of fatty acids.  The sources are algae, flax seed, and borage oils.  The fatty acids from algae contain 40% DHA and 25% EPA along with ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) and GLA (gamma-linolenic acid)
 
Dr. Daniel Laroche, president of Advanced Eyecare of New York and clinical associate professor of ophthalmology at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine emphasizes that because omega-3 fatty acids are essential in growth and development throughout life, they should be included in everyone’s diet.
 
DHA, or docosahexaenoic acid, is an omega-3 fatty acid important for maintaining healthy eyes. Our retinas and brains contain the highest concentration of DHA.  We must get it through diet or supplementation because the body can’t make the amount we need to survive.


 
Low DHA levels are present in the retinas of those with age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and Alzheimer’s disease.
 
Adequate DHA levels may prevent other retinal conditions, like diabetic retinopathy, as well as AMD, which causes a loss or blurring of central vision.  AMD is a leading cause of severe vision loss in adults, affecting 10 percent of Americans over age 50. It can occur in two forms: atrophic (“dry”) or exudative (“wet”), according to the American Optometric Association. About 20 million people 40 years old and older were living with AMD in 2019, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates.
 
Diabetic retinopathy occurs in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and is caused by high blood sugar affecting blood flow to the retina. Untreated, the condition leads to blindness.  It is imperative to prevent abnormal sugar levels in our patients.  Blood Sugar Trim may be helpful and a good addition to Optimal EFA.
 
Studies show about 2 percent, or 100,000, U.S. dementia cases, were associated with visual impairment. It’s projected that by 2050, that will rise to around 250,000 cases, the National Institute on Aging estimated.
 
DHA is very important to eye health.
There are a few reasons why DHA is crucial for eye health.  According to an article in the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, DHA is a structural component of the retina. It is also a major structural component of the outer segments of the photoreceptor cells in the retina, which are responsible for detecting light and transmitting visual signals to the brain.
 
DHA also helps maintain the fluidity and integrity of the membranes in the retina. This is important for the proper functioning of the photoreceptor cells and the efficient transmission of visual information.
DHA is anti-inflammatory, and inflammation in the eye can damage delicate structures in the retina and contribute to the development of AMD. These anti-inflammatory properties may also protect the retina in other ways.
 
Too little DHA in our eyes is associated with several vision-threatening conditions.  Retinal DHA is greatly reduced in conditions like diabetes, retinitis pigmentosa, and AMD, which can lead to functional defects, impaired visual development, and reduced sensitivity.  Omega-3s have also been shown to be helpful in patients with myopia and macular degeneration.


 
Essential Protect contains many nutrients demonstrated to be eye protective.


Yours in Health and Wellness,

 
OHS and John W Brimhall, DC, BA, BS, FIAMA, DIBAK