EYE HEALTH BENEFITS OF OMEGA-3 FISH OIL

Is Omega-3 Fish Oil Good For Your Eyes?
November 20, 2010 by Michael Lange OD, CNS

Omega-3 is creating quite a frenzy in the media.

You hear about the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids everywhere you turn. Everyone and all forms of media are trying to capitalize on these miraculous positive health benefits associated with the ingestion of omega-3 oils. You must remember that all omega-3s are not created equal. Most omega-3 experts will agree that the most bio available form of omega-3 fatty acids come from marine animal sources like fish, krill and squid. The vegetable sources of omega-3 consist of flax seed oil, chia oil, perilla oil and various types of marine vegetation. The vegetable sources of omega-3 have a much more difficult time converting to the healthy essential fatty acids EPA and DHA when compared to omega-3 from a marine source.

Health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids

Currently most health care providers recognize the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. The particular type of omega-3 that has been studied the most is derived from cold water fish. There are thousands of studies proving the positive health benefits of increased fish consumption and increased intake of high quality fish oil. The evidence is so strong that omega-3 fish oil is being recommended and prescribed by all types of medical professionals.

A reduction in the risk of heart attack or stroke

Some of the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids are a reduction in the risk of a heart attack or stroke, and a reduction in the possibility of hypertension, depression, attention hyper reactive disorder and joint pain from arthritis. Improved circulation to the brain and the entire body is another benefit of omega-3 fish oil. Omega-3 fish oil may slow down chromosomal aging by slowing down the rate at which the telomere (end cap of chromosome) shortens. Omega-3 has potent anti-inflammatory properties and may help with a variety of inflammatory conditions in the body. Improvement in skin, nails and hair are noticed after consuming a good omega-3 supplement. The treatment of elevated triglycerides is a potential benefit of taking a good omega-3 fish oil. Another recent study suggests that an increase in omega-3 fish oil may decrease incidence of breast cancer, prostate cancer and Alzheimer's.

The highest quality fish oil omega-3 supplement for dry eye syndrome and other eye conditions

Omega-3 fatty acids are also being utilized by eye care providers to aid in the prevention and treatment of a variety of ocular disorders. Many optometrists and ophthalmologists are recommending omega-3 fatty acids to their patients for a variety of eye conditions. Patients with dry eye syndrome respond well to the correct omega-3 supplementation. I have found that many dry eye sufferers will improve objectively and subjectively when taking a good triglyceride form omega-3 fish oil in a concentration between 800-900 EPA and 500-600 DHA. The formula I recommend to my patients is Fortifeye Super Omega. If a patient has mild to moderate dry eyes I will usually recommend two gel caps a day, however if they have moderate to marked dry eyes I will then double the dosage for two to three months and then taper back to two a day once the condition improves. I have also seen improvement in blepharitis (chronic inflammation of the eyelid) and meibomian gland dysfunction while patients are taking this purified, highest quality fish oil from www.fortifeye.com.

Benefits of omega-3 fish oil for contact lens wearers

Many of my patients with dry eyes related to contact lens wear benefit dramatically from taking a higher quality omega-3 fish oil. If a patient is going to wear contact lenses at night in an extended wear schedule then I thoroughly educate the patient on the importance of taking a good triglyceride form omega-3 fish oil. The omega-3 fish oils will improve the quality of the tear film which is crucial for safe and comfortable contact lens wear. The correct form and concentration of the best omega-3 fish oil will also keep the meibomian glands from becoming blocked, allowing for a healthy flow of the outer lubricating layer of the tear film. Objectively I have seen improvements in epithelial corneal health with resolution or improvement in superficial punctate keratitis, improvement in Schirmer test as well as tear break up times. However, the most positive aspect of omega-3 treatment is the subjective improvement the patient experiences with the eye health benefits of omega-3 fish oil. Patients regularly come in and say they can now wear their contact lenses for the entire day without any problems!

High quality triglyceride form fish oil for Lasik surgery and chronic dry eyes

One of the problems associated with Lasik surgery patients is a chronic dry eye problem after the surgery that can last six months to a year and sometimes even longer. We mandate that all of our Lasik surgery patients start Fortifeye Super Omega or a comparable high quality triglyceride form fish oil one month prior to Lasik surgery and stay on the fish oil two times a day for three months after Lasik surgery. This has dramatically reduced any dry eye symptomology or complications following Lasik surgery.

Macular degeneration and inflammatory conditions of the eye

There are many other studies now underway supporting the eye health benefits of omega-3 fish oil for macular degeneration. We have also used omega-3 fish oils successfully in combination with traditional medical management of many other inflammatory conditions in the eye.

Ethyl ester is not the best fish oil

The majority of omega-3 fish oils you can purchase OTC at the local stores provide relatively low concentrations of omega-3 and many actually contain higher than the acceptable amounts of a contaminant called PCB. Certain fish oils you purchase at the local drug store or vitamin shop are involved in a class action law suit due to these unacceptable amounts of contaminants. Most of these fish oils are in a less expensive and less bio available form called ethyl ester omega-3 fish oil. Ethyl ester fish oil is a very unstable form of fish oil and can go rancid very easily. This is one of the reasons these fish oils smell and taste bad.

Highest quality fish oil possible - Fortifeye Super Omega

The final step in the purification of fish oils removes the ethyl ester molecule and replaces it with a triglyceride molecule which improves the absorption rate dramatically and makes it a more natural from of fish oil. Most companies will skip this step due to the added expense for this process. Fortifeye Super Omega does not skip this final step, allowing for a highly concentrated and purified triglyceride form fish oil that tastes quite good with no burp back and has been studied extensively with the latest in omega-3 blood testing. The most advanced blood tests have been performed and are continuously being utilized to test the absorption of this highest quality fish oil. Fortifeye blood studies have shown that when a patient takes two Fortifeye Super Omega capsules a day the omega index is improved dramatically within two weeks. After one month at a two per day dosing the majority of patients will have an omega index over 8%. Studies now indicate that an omega index over 8% can correlate with a 90% reduction in fatal heart attacks. The typical American usually has an omega index around 4%. My research team and I have tested a variety of other sources of omega-3 from fish oils and krill oils and have not seen anywhere near the improvements in the omega index as we have seen with Fortifeye Super Omega.

Triglyceride form fish oil provides the best bio availability

As I've said, all omega-3s are not created equal. I recommend that you invest in your health of your eyes and entire body and purchase a good triglyceride form fish oil. You know the saying 'You get what you pay for.' Spend a little extra, bypass the ethyl ester version of fish oil and only purchase the concentrated triglyceride form fish oil like Fortifeye Super Omega at www.fortifeye.com. The sooner you start taking the best fish oil the sooner you will start to gain the valuable ocular and total health benefits. Everyone—no matter what the age—should be on an omega-3 supplement. Most Americans are omega-3 deficient. Remember, it is never too late to become healthy.

Put your omega-3 supplement to the omega index test

Doctors all over the world are recommending Fortifeye Super Omega and thousands of people worldwide are enjoying the positive health benefits of this highest quality fish oil, concentrated and refined by one of the most experienced teams in Ålesund, Norway. If you want the best fish oil then consider taking Fortifeye Super Omega. You can purchase this highly concentrated and extremely pure omega-3 fish oil here at ExpressContacts, or call toll free 1 866 503-9746. Do it today. Take a step in the right direction of prevention and become proactive in your health. If you aren't sure if your omega-3 supplement is really helping you or just wasting your money ask your physician to run an omega-3 blood test. You can learn more about the new at-home omega-3 blood test at www.fortifeye.com. This at-home blood test is a simple and painless way to determine what your omega values are, and it's a great tool to helping you become healthier.

Dr. Michael P. Lange Board Certified Optometric Physician and Board Certified Nutritional Specialist Dr. Michael P. Lange Board Certified Optometric Physician Certified Nutrition Specialist Syndicated Daily Talk Show Host (Ask the Doctor) CEO and founder of Lange Eye Care and Associates CEO and founder of the Lange Eye Institute CEO of Lange Sun and Nutrition Centers www.langeeyecare.com www.fortifeye.com December 10, 2010

Author: Dr. Michael Lange, Ocala, Florida, Optometric Physician and Certified Nutrition Specialist is involved in multiple nutrition, bio availability and absorption studies. Dr Lange's nine eye care wellness centers, Lange Eye Care and Associates, utilize the latest in omega three nutrition to help their patients on a daily basis. Dr. Michael Lange and the Lange Eye Care team use specific intracellular and plasma blood tests in a clinical setting to help determine what levels of specific nutrients are right for their patients. Dr Lange preaches the power of proper nutrition, exercise and life style changes daily on his radio talk show "Ask The Doctor", to his patients in clinical rotations, the public at seminars and to doctors from all over the world at conferences. Dr Lange reaches out to many others via the Internet in forums and through numerous articles he has authored. Learn more about Dr. Lange and view his fish oil comparison demonstration at www.DrMichaelLange.com.