Omega-3 Fats May Help Macular Degeneration

Age-Related Macular Degeneration is an ailment characterized by the degeneration of the Macula of the Retina of the Eye (caused by the death of the Rods and Cones in the Macula) in elderly people. ARMD initially causes diminished vision from the central field of vision and then widens to afflict peripheral vision. Practically this means that the initial effect of ARMD is Blurred Vision and distorted vision. Lines that would appear straight in the absence of ARMD appear to be “wavy”. With time ARMD can cause the blockage of the center of sight, causing frontal blindness.

It is estimated that 25% of all people above the age of 65 and 33% of all people above the age of 75 are afflicted with at least the beginnings of ARMD. 14% of people aged 55 to 64 are afflicted with ARMD.

There is an hereditary aspect to the risk of developing ARMD.

Caucasians have a greater risk for ARMD compared to persons of African descent.

Women over the age of 75 have twice the risk of developing ARMD compared to men of the same age.

ARMD is the leading cause of severe visual impairment in developed countries.

A recent study found that those with the highest consumption of omega-3 fatty acids had the best outcomes for macular degeneration. Those with the highest consumption, with omega-3 fatty acids accounting for 0.11% of their total calories (this is about 360 mg for a 3000-calorie intake), were 30% less likely than their peers (who consumed 0.01%) to advance to more serious forms of macular degeneration. The major sources of omega-3 fatty acids in the participants' diets were fish and seafood.

This Link will take you to further information about the research www.areds2.org

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