Flaxseed Oil And Fish Oil For Dry Eye
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Flaxseed oil and fish oil, both contain important dietary fatty acids that have several health benefits, along with prevention or treatment of dry eyes. Other benefits include a reduced risk of heart disease and a decrease in chronic inflammation, which can lead to a range of serious diseases, including cancer and stroke. Chronic inflammation has also been indicated as an underlying cause of osteoarthritis and Alzheimer’s disease.
Daily supplements of flaxseed oil capsules or fish oil, when used alone or in combination with lubricating eye drops, tend to reduce dry eye symptoms, including stinging, burning, redness and intermittent visual impairments. For this reason, many eye doctors now recommend flaxseed oil and fish oil supplements to their patients who suffer from dry eyes condition. Research also suggests these same fatty acids can reduce the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts.
Flaxseed Oil For Dry Eyes
The nutritional value of flaxseed oil, as well as fish oil, comes from its omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for optimum health. Flaxseed oil contains very high levels of an omega-3 known as Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA). During digestion, this acid is converted into two different omega-3 fatty acids, which are called EPA and DHA. They are used throughout the body to protect cell membranes. Look for garcinia cambogia India to buy it in India.
Flaxseed oil supplements are available in both capsules as well as liquid forms. Though flaxseed oil capsules are more convenient, you may have to take a large number of capsules to reach the daily dose your doctor recommends for treating dry eyes. The nutritional value of flaxseed oil can be easily destroyed by light, heat, and oxygen. Hence, when purchasing liquid flaxseed oil, go for a cold-pressed variety and keep it refrigerated.
If you are going for an alternative to flaxseed oil, you can get the same omega-3s by making a powder of whole flax seeds in a coffee grinder and sprinkling the ground seeds on your salad, adding them to a smoothie or a fruit juice. If you choose the powder form, make sure to use the seeds immediately after grinding them to get the total omega-3 benefits.
Popular eye vitamins that consist of flaxseed oil include Dry Eye Formula (EyeScience), TheraTears Nutrition (Advanced Vision Research), and Tears Again Hydrate (Ocusoft).
Comparison Of Fish Oil With Flaxseed Oil
Fish oils and fatty fish such as sardines, tuna, and salmon, are rich food sources of omega-3 fats that are essential to brain and eye health. Fish fat contains the long chain omega-3s such as EPA and DHA, which the body needs for vital functions, including eyesight. On the other hand, the short chain ALA omega-3 fats found in plant foods such as flax seeds should be converted to EPA and DHA in the body for efficient eye effects. When you consume plant foods, your body converts only about 5 percent of dietary ALA into important EPA and DHA.
Omega-6 fats can be obtained from vegetable oils such as cottonseed, corn, soy, safflower, and sunflower and are used in most snacks and prepared foods; whether frozen, packaged, restaurant or take-out. However, their consumption should be reduced as they block the absorption of omega-3 and promote inflammation when consumed in excess.
Fish oils, such as flaxseed oil, are available in the capsule as well as liquid forms. Some have lemon flavoring or are processed in ways to reduce any “fishy” taste. Cod liver oil is also another great source of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids. A more enjoyable way to get fish oil benefits is by eating grilled cold-water fish at least thrice a week. Good sources of EPA and DHA omega-3s are sablefish, salmon, tuna, and halibut. Fish oil and flaxseed oil are also a form of multivitamin for men. Popular eye supplements that have fish oil or cod liver oil include BioTears (Biosyntrx), TheraTears Nutrition (Advanced Vision Research), and HydroEye (ScienceBased Health).
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