Omega-3s Are Vital To Our Vision & Eye Health* — Here's How

Omega-3s have well-established heart-health benefits—they help improve circulation, regulate blood pressure, support vascular function, and offer other cardioprotective actions (just to name a few).* One might even say these healthy fats are heart famous!

Perhaps you've also heard of all the amazing things these fatty acids do to promote cognitive function and working memory throughout the lifespan—but many don't realize omega-3s bolster more than just the brain when it comes to the central nervous system.* 

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is especially prevalent in the central nervous system. In fact, it's the most abundant fat in both the brain and the retina (making up 97% and 93% of total omega-3 content1, respectively) and has several key roles in both cognitive and visual function.* 

DHA accumulation in the brain begins in utero during the second half of gestation and remains crucial for neurodevelopment through the first couple of years of life.* This, of course, assumes the omega-3 fat DHA is available in utero from the mother's nutritional inputs.

Infants cannot synthesize meaningful quantities of omega-3 fats from omega-6 fatty acids. Both types of fats are therefore critical to receive from breast milk or a fortified infant formula. These healthy fat inputs are vital, as normal and optimal infant vision and brain development rely on sufficient DHA levels.* 

In a meta-analysis published in the Journal of Nutrition, omega-3 supplementation was shown to improve visual acuity in both preterm and term infants2, indicating omega-3 supplements (especially those with servings of DHA) can be a powerful and effective way to support vision development during several stages of infancy.* 

While DHA and other omega-3s are vital for normal development early on in life, their importance doesn't end there. It turns out DHA is essential for optimal visual transduction3 (i.e., light converting to electrical signals so the brain can interpret what the eyes are seeing) and functioning throughout all stages of life.* 

The highest concentration of DHA in the body is found in the retina; indeed, DHA is a major structural lipid4 that makes up the outer segment membranes of the retinal photoreceptor cells.* Thanks to DHA, the fluid nature of the lipid membrane allows faster response to stimulation and supports optimal visual sensation (i.e., the perceptual experience of seeing).* In the most basic terms, DHA literally helps us see clearly!* 

Omega-3s—particularly DHA—are crucial for supporting the development of our eyes, visual acuity, and retinal health.* 

Considering most Americans should be eating three to six times more EPA and DHA6 than they currently are to reach the baseline intake of 250 to 500 milligrams per day, an omega-3 supplement is an effective, stress-free way to support your vision.*