Dry Eyes and Omega-3 Fatty Acids

While I certainly understand the reasons for it, I think it is silly to create a story touting tuna instead of talking about omega-3 fatty acids.

Not just carrots: Tuna may be what eyes need
There is no known cure for the condition, but a recent study suggests there is some action sufferers can take: Eat tuna.

According to a study published this fall by Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Schepens Eye Research Institute at Harvard Medical School, women who reported eating tuna more than five times a week had a 68 percent smaller chance of developing the condition.

Before the study, anecdotal evidence had led doctors and researchers to suspect a link between the inflammation of tissues around the eye that leads to dry eye syndrome and a high ratio in the body of omega 6 fatty acids, which are found in cooking oil, butter and mayonnaise, to omega 3 fatty acids, which are found in the dark flesh of fish.

When eye tissues are inflamed, sufferers are unable to produce the lipids found in regular tears. The lipids help cover the eye in a tear film and keep the water in tears from evaporating too quickly.

Without the lipids, eyes can still water, but the tears are not effective.

Eating more omega 3 fatty acids, like those found in tuna, should help reduce inflammation or prevent the problem from developing in the first place, said Dr. Biljana Miljanovic, lead author of the study.

Tuna isn't necessarily the best source of omega 3 fatty acids, but all species of tuna are very good sources and are more common in the American diet than some other fatty fishes, like mackerel or sardines. Salmon is another good source.

Why not spend a bit more time talking about the well known health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids and highlight all of the readily available sources, whether foods or supplements?

Tags: Dry Eyes, Omega3 Fatty Acids