November 10, 2005 – Omega-3s could prevent dry eye syndrome thanks in part to their anti-inflammatory action, according to a study1 published in theAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
This condition dries out the eyes of more than 10 million Americans, especially women, and prevents them from reading, driving at night, or viewing a computer screen comfortably. Many rely on artificial tears, which however offer only temporary and incomplete treatment of symptoms.
By examining the eating habits of 32,470 women in the famous Women’s Health Study, researchers found that the more women consume omega-3s, the less likely they would be to suffer from dry eye syndrome, also called keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
Tuna seems particularly effective. Women in the study who reported eating at least five servings per week saw their risk of developing dry eye syndrome drop 68% compared to those who contented themselves with just one serving per week. Generally, women who consumed the highest amounts of omega-3 had a 20% reduced risk of having this health problem.
Omega-3s are found among others in fatty fish (mackerel, sardines, salmon, tuna, herring, trout), in flaxseed and oil, in canola and soybean oils and in walnuts. .
Guy Sabourin – PasseportSanté.net
According to HealthDay.
1. Biljana Miljanovic et al. Relation between dietary n-3 and n-6 fatty acids and clinically diagnosed dry eye syndrome in women, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2005 Oct; 82 (4): 887-93