OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS, LUTEIN, AND RISK OF MACULAR DEGENERATION

According to this report from the University of Utah:

A common belief that loading up on omega-3 fatty acids may lead to less eyesight degeneration later in life has been found to be false, according to researchers. 

The National Institutes of Health’s National Eye Institute this week wrapped up a five-year study on eye disease, which concluded that omega-3 fatty acids do not reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration.  

 Although the research rejects the presupposed benefits to eyesight derived from taking omega-3 fatty acids either in isolation, i.e. fish oil tablets, or as part of a formulated dietary  supplement, it did find that replacing beta-carotene with lutein and zeaxanthin might be helpful. 

  View the National Eye Institutes news release here.