Omega 3 Visions

Can you imagine a world of darkness, no color, light, no heart felt expression and talking with out words? Our eyesight is probably the most valued sense we have and looking after our

eyes is as important as looking after your teeth, if not more important! We cannot replace our eyesight. It starts as young as newborns, looking for the first time into their mothers eyes, children rely on their eyesight as being the most crucial learning tool during the scholastic years, looking into your loved ones eyes and then later being able to see your grandchildren grow up. This would all be completely impossible if we did not look after our eyes and make sure that our vision doesn't deteriorate at a fast rate.

Due to the modern unhealthy lifestyle including bad diet, rest and stress it is difficult to maintain healthy eyes and good eyesight. The retina is made up of long-chain fatty acids of which up to 50% are DHA, suggesting that DHA is involved in the function of the eyes and visual deterioration; in fact our vision would not even be possible if it wasn't for DHA. Docosahexaenoic acid is an Omega 3 essential fatty acid which is not produced in the body but is vitally important for many bodily functions to perform adequately. Vision occurs mainly in the brain, our eyes receive information in the form of light, this information is then processed in the brain and then converted into a visual image that we “see”.

Many studies have shown that infants that received Omega 3 fatty acids in the womb as well as through the mother's breast milk had sharper visual acuity compared with other infants in the same age categories. As the years go by the retina continues to require these essential fatty acids that make up the cells, as Omega 3 is what reduces the risk of macular degeneration and other blinding diseases.

Health of the eyes has a lot to do with the level of general well being in the entire body. As previously mentioned the amount of vision problems is growing as a result of the constant changing society. More and more people are suffering from cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and each year the sufferers get younger and younger. Medical researchers also hold information that show a link between the lack of fatty acids especially Omega 3s and the inflammation of tissues around the eyes that lead to Dry Eye Syndrome. By supplementing Omega 3 acids into the daily diet it reduces the frustrating side effects of dry eyes as the essential fatty acids are converted into prostaglandins in the body whose functions are to aid the aqueous humor in the eye and to regulate intraocular pressure.

The human body relies greatly on the customs and products that are consumed daily. Each day researchers are proving just what each vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, proteins etc. are vital for the proper functioning of various systems and organs in the body. Just as the right foods will protect, renew and maintain a healthy body, they will also benefit your eyesight and protect your eyes against degenerative diseases like as macular degeneration and glaucoma. The right nutrients and foods will protect your eyes as well as your general well being. Poor nutrition will affect your vision; try to eliminate overcooked, canned frozen processed and preserved foods that contain little nutritional value.

• Avoid foods that contain high quantities of food additives like MSG

  (monosodium glutamate). This neurotoxin has been shown to cause glaucoma.

• Include beta-carotene in the diet, combined with vitamins A and vitamin E to ensure a   proper absorption of the beta carotene.

• Magnesium is a beneficial as it aids the blood flow to the eyes.

• Eat fish and fish oils that proved the body with Vitamin A and Vitamin D that are active in   the production of protective pigments in the eyes. More importantly, they provide Omega 3   EFAs that boost the immunes system, reduce inflammation and keep the blood vessels free   from clots.

• Vitamin E keeps the blood vessels around the eyes healthy, while zinc will aid the release   of Vitamin A from the liver.

• Foods that are rich in Vitamin C and bioflavonoids will prevent the breakage of blood   vessels and the renewal of the blood vessels that grow in the eye .

By looking after your eyes and vision through a healthy diet, the eyes will return to their natural shape and benefit you in many more ways. The body recuperates a good sense of balance and coordination, with enhanced depth perception. With an improved ability to study and learn, mental clarity will increase and you will obtain a broader perspective on life. When the clarity of the eyesight is increased there is a greater sense of balance and harmony as well as an improved connection with our surroundings. Better eye health creates greater awareness, a more relaxed well being and an improved connection with oneself.