Hundreds, if not thousands, of studies have shown the incredible benefits of eating just two servings a week of mercury-free fish, rich in omega-3, weekly.
Now, researchers who studied 30,000 women found that high doses of omega-3 docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosaentaenoic (EPA) acids can reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by as much as 42 percent, just one more ailment that can be prevented by the important supplement.
The study showed that when women ate a serving of fish a week compared to women who had less than a serving a month, they were less likely to develop the eye disease that causes blindness.
Researchers have already shown that proper amounts of omega-3 in the body can help combat and treat a slew of diseases and conditions, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHA, borderline personality disorder, dyslexia, heart disease, cancer, arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, cystic fibrosis and osteoporosis.
Also, when pregnant women were given 800 mg of DHA and 100 mg of EPA, they gave birth to healthier babies, who were less likely to be very premature or under-weight.
There has even been a study to understand why consumers are not more aware of their need to take in enough omega-3 acids and that calls for more education to inform the public.
Most studies conclude that a diet that includes at least two servings a week of fatty fish, free of mercury, is the first step to better health. Or a dose of at least 230 mg of DHA and 100 mg of EPA reduced the risk of AMD by up to 42 percent.
Several studies recommend taking at least 200 mg of DHA from either a daily supplement or adding twice-weekly fish to the diet.
However, some studies gave patients up to 900 mg a day and saw better verbal recognition memory of Alzheimer patients and healthier newborns from their participating pregnant mothers.
When participants ate dark-meat fish, such as canned tuna, mackerel, salmon, sardines, bluefish and swordfish, the benefits were greatest.
However, studies have found that diet alone does not provide the best defense against AMD or other illnesses affected by omega-3 fatty acids and that a supplement should be taken daily.
AMD is a disease that generally hits people over 60 and destroys the macula and gradually erodes clear vision. It is the leading cause of vision loss in Americans 60 years and older.
It is hard to believe that anyone would not add omega-3 fatty acids to their family’s diet or take a daily supplement considering the well-document benefits.
