(DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid that is one of the primary structural components of the human brain cerebral cortex and retina. It can be synthesized from alpha-linolenic acid; however, it can be obtained directly and naturally from fish oil.
This year, the University of Alberta reported that in lab tests, they successfully demonstrated that DHA can prevent age-related vision loss. This medical research has been recently published in Ophthalmology & Visual Science (a peer-reviewed journal).
Yves Sauve is a faculty member involved in research at the university as part of the Medicine & Dentistry department. He and his team of researchers focused on a toxic molecule at the back of the eyes which normally builds up in the retina with age and causes vision loss. They discovered that lab models that were nurtured with DHA did not build up this toxin.
Sauve has stated that this discovery could have the possibility of having very broad effects therapeutically. Sauve has explained that during the normal aging process, this particular toxin increases two-fold; however, the DHA reportedly prevented any increase in this toxin at all. There has never been any demonstration like this before.
Recently, this team has embarked on the implementation of another study that focuses vision loss and on individuals who have age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is a condition that causes the loss of central vision. It is the main cause of blindness in those over the age of 50. In this study, the team of researchers are seeking to discover DNA markers in the blood of the participants. Further, the team wants to determine if participants with certain genetic markers who are given increasing amounts of DHA in their diet will respond better visually. And, if so, why.
For any loss of vision or other vision difficulties as well as any eye discomfort or eye injury, it is highly recommended to seek the advice of a medical doctor who is a cornea specialist.
