The Cure For Dry Eyes
 
 
 A recent Harvard study identified an interesting new advantage for those who consume high amounts of foods rich in omega-3 fats:

Women who ate the most lowered their chances of dry eye syndrome by as much as 68 percent. Conversely, those who ate a higher ratio of omega-6 fats versus omega-3 fats doubled their odds of dry eye syndrome.

The study, which was conducted on more than 32,000 women aged 45-84, demonstrated the validity of both clinical observations on the subject and theorized biological mechanisms. Omega-3 fatty acid intake reduces overall inflammation in the body, which has been shown to be a factor in dry eye syndrome.

Dry eye syndrome is one of the most frequent eye problems in the United States, and a common complaint of patients seeking eye care. It is usually caused by a problem with the quality of the tear film that lubricates the eyes.

Conventional treatment options may include surgical intervention (punctal plugs inserted into tear ducts) or eye medicines. Often, these treatments provide only temporary or incomplete relief.

Dry eye syndrome can lead to discomfort, poor vision, and problems with reading, using a computer, or driving at night.

 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition October 2005; 82(4): 887-893
 
 
 
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 Dr. Mercola's Comment:

 Without a doubt fish oil (EPA and DHA fatty acids) is the single most important nutritional deficiency in the United States. Fish (and cod liver oil) is important to your health in relation to fighting depression, inflammation, and Alzheimer's. Now important eye-care effects have been demonstrated, which is apparently a benefit some clinicians have already observed for quite a while.

Most doctors have no idea that most cases of dry eyes can be cleared up, as this research suggests, simply by increasing consumption of healthy omega-3 fats. The other eye benefit from omega-3 would be a reduction in the risk of the most common cause of blindness in most developed countries, age-related macular degeneration.

Over 2,000 scientific studies have demonstrated the wide range of problems associated with omega-3 deficiencies. Your brain is more than 60 percent structural fat, just as your muscles are made of protein and your bones are made of calcium. But it's not just any fat that your brain is made of. It has to be certain types of fats, and it is highly likely you no longer eat these types of fats like you used to.

In fact, researchers believe that about 60 percent of Americans are deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, and about 20 percent have so little that test methods cannot even detect any in their blood.

I test omega-3 levels on every patient in my clinic and find that the numbers are even worse than the researchers have demonstrated.

Other parts of your body also need omega-3 fats. Symptoms of fatty acid deficiency include a variety of skin problems such as eczema, thick patches of skin, and cracked heels.

Meanwhile, Americans eat excessive amounts of man-made trans-fats and saturated fats and vegetable oils high in omega-6 fatty acids, all of which interfere with your body's attempt to utilize the tiny amount of omega-3 fats that it gets.

Omega-3 deficiencies have been tied to many conditions, including:

Dyslexia	Violence
Depression	Memory problems
Weight gain	Cancer
Heart disease	Eczema
Allergies	Inflammatory diseases
Arthritis	Diabetes

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