DHA Fish oils for Visual Acuity? Eye-Aye!

This study on 74 healthy aging participants (between 45-77 years) showed that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) did not raise cognitive function, though for participants with corrected vision, DHA was found to increase right eye visual acuity post treatment in comparison with the placebo. DHA is the building block of the eyes and brain cells and has typically been associated with increased brain-power. However, in these elderly participants it’s likely that rather than building blocks for the brain, inflammation will be exerting a greater influence than DHA availability.

After 90 days of administration of either HiDHA(®) (1000 mg of tuna oil; 252 mg DHA, 60 mg EPA,10 mg vitamin E) or placebo (1000 mg soybean oil, no significant effects on cognitive functioning were found.

For vision (and brain power at higher dosages, in younger populations!), a fish oils supplement is a swimmingly good idea!

http://www.yoursportsnutrition.com/health/fish-oils-efa.html

Reference: “The effects of 90-day supplementation with the omega-3 essential fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on cognitive function and visual acuity in a healthy aging population,” Stough C, Downey L, et al, Neurobiol Aging, 2012 Apr; 33(4): 824.e1-3. (Address: National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM) Collaborative Centre for Neurocognition, Brain Sciences Institute, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Melbourne, Australia. E-mail: cstough@swin.edu.au ).