Why are omega-3 (EFAs) fatty acids good for your eyes? Studies have increasingly shown the health benefits of consuming healthy fatty acids, primarily omega-3. These healthy fats are thought to help reduce “bad” cholesterol, which helps maintain good blood flow providing oxygen and nutrients for the eyes as well as the rest of the body.
Studies suggest that prolonged deficiencies in adults may increase the risk of damage to the retina. In 2007, one study found that people who eat at least two servings of fish weekly are less likely to develop age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the leading cause of vision loss among people aged 65 or older in the United States.
Some foods containing high amounts of omega-3 are: walnuts, butternuts, flaxseed, soybean, oils (flaxseed, cod liver, and soybean) and fatty fish (salmon, herring, tuna, mackerel, sardines and bluefish).
Fatty acids may also reduce the symptoms of dry eye syndrome, according to a 2005 study, especially among women. Reference: www.allaboutvision.com.
