How DHA Can Protect Your Eyes, Making Them Immune To Injury

If you want to protect your vision, taking Omega-3 fatty acid DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) can pre-condition your vision cells to survive injury. That’s according to research into the effects of DHA as a form of vaccine or immunity.

The study was written about in the Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology journal and explains why Omega-3 and its components can protect cells, making it essential for protecting and maintaining good vision.

Researchers found that DHA and docosanoids are responsible for “activating the sustained cellular mechanisms that elicit long-term preconditioning protection,” according to Professor Nicolas Bazan, MD, PhD, Director of LSU Health New Orleans Neuroscience Center of Excellence.

It is this pre-conditioning (PC) stimulus that can activate a protective response to a future lethal stimulus. This often occurs when blood supply to the organ is interrupted for a short time and then re-established.

A protective response often occurs from the first injury and then this is carried over to a subsequent blood supply shortage. This is just like the immunity that a vaccine provides against future exposure to disease. This happens within the heart, brain and the retina, along with other organs. Researchers say it is important to identify what the molecules are that are directly involved in this process.

DHA Could Be The Essential Key To Good Eye Health

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are found in two kinds within fish oil. These often have very different actions and include Omega-3s (Docosahexaenoic acid – DHA) and Omega-6s such as Arachidonic Acid (AA).

DHA and its docosanoids (DHA’s metabolic derivatives), have been shown to contain the most powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Omega-6 fatty acids and their components have been suggested to be widely pro-inflammatory however.

Bazan’s team found that while they are often released one after the other, DHA can affect the actions of AA. When DHA was supplemented prior to oxidative stress, the synthesis of protective DHA derivatives increased while the AA synthesis was found to have decreased over time.

The Lead Researcher commented that the findings demonstrate how DHA and docosanoid synthesis is necessary for preconditioning protection, and the daily survival of photoreceptor and RPE cells.

Omega-3 impairments are usually associated with neuro-inflammation and this contributes to both photoreceptor cell dysfunction and death. Enhancing the synthesis of docosanoids can provide an opportunity for stopping or making better debilitating regenerative diseases, including the dry form of age-related macular degeneration.

All of the above evidence highlights the importance of how essential Omega 3 fatty acids are for good health. These fatty acids are often found in fish oils. One of the best ways to ensure you get a sufficient amount of DHA and EPA into your body is to add a good Omega 3, 6 and 9 supplement such as Krill Oil into your daily routine.

Recommended Examples

The Krill Miracle™ – A dietary supplement of ultra-pure omega fatty acids formulated to promote wellness and longevity. This is a high strength DHA/EPA formula that can support the body’s natural anti-inflammatory properties, while supporting good eye health. Available from Good Health Naturally.