On several occasions, in these pages we have dealt with the beneficial properties of Omega 3 and other fatty acids present in numerous foods (especially fish) on our health. Here, for example, is the best fish rich in Omega 3 to improve respiratory problems and asthma. Or it is useful to find out how much our life extends by introducing Omega 3 in the diet. In this article we will present the latest studies regarding the effects of Omega 3s on vision. In fact, few people know that Omega 3 can prevent this serious disability in over 60s.
Juvenile maculopathy and senile or age-related maculopathy (AMD)
The retina is located in the back of the eye and has the function of transforming light energy into electrical signals to be sent to the optic nerve. In the center of the retina there is a small portion called the macula. It is a light-sensitive portion that allows for sharper vision and is crucial for everyday activities such as reading, driving and recognizing faces. The degeneration or degradation of this portion is called maculopathy. It is a degenerative disease and can affect both young people (juvenile maculopathy) and older people (senile maculopathy). It is the leading cause of blindness in industrialized countries.
Affected people begin to see dark spots in the center of the visual field, corresponding to the areas where vision is interrupted. Over time, these dark spots enlarge to occupy a large part of the visual field and vision is impaired. In the most severe forms, the growth of abnormal blood vessels is observed which leads to a more rapid progression of the disease.
The risk of developing AMD is determined by age, genetic predisposition and lifestyle, including diet. There is currently no cure, although promising research is underway (Sebastiano V and Zack DJ, 2021).
Few people know that Omega 3s can prevent this serious disability in over 60s
In a recent study (Merle BMJ et al., 2021), called Alionor, researchers found a strong association between nutrients and senile maculopathy (AMD). Specifically, they highlighted how Omega-3 intake can prevent or slow down the course of senile maculopathy (AMD). Omega-3 fatty acids in fact would be able to prevent the growth of blood vessels which, as we have seen, represent one of the important aspects of the disease.
The study also points out that even the intake of vegetables could play a preventive role with respect to the disease. In fact, vegetables contain carotenoids, some of which play a role as a filter of blue light, which is toxic to the retina.
Here, then, is that, once again, the metaphor of food as the gasoline of our body is reductive. In reality, the nutrients we take in don’t just give us the energy we need to live. They interact with our microbiome and with our cells, modulating their functions and interactions and conditioning the life of the whole organism.
Deepening
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