In a recent newsletter, we highlighted top tips to Protect Your Vision Health as You Age which includes wearing sun glasses to protect your eyes from damaging UVA and UVB rays. Ironically, sunlight may also support healthy vision through its role in vitamin D production.

A new study found that the sunshine vitamin was associated with a reduction in amyloid beta, a risk factor for age-related vision problems.

Aging and the Eyes

With age, deposits of amyloid beta can accumulate in our eyes, reducing blood supply and increasing the risk of damage to the structures and functions of the eyes.

One structure that may be affected by amyloid beta is the macula, a small yellow spot on the retina. The yellow color is due to the content of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which we get from our diet. These carotenoids filter out the harmful blue light that can damage cells in the eye.  

Therefore reduced circulation means fewer carotenoids and a thinner macular pigment which can allow the blue light through to damage the cells.

Study Details

In the study, lab mice that received vitamin D supplementation for six weeks had reductions in the levels of amyloid beta. The vitamin was also associated with reductions in markers for inflammation.

Other human studies have also shown that higher blood levels of vitamin D decreased the risk of damage to the macula.

Sources:

NutraIngredients

NutraIngredients

You’ve probably heard by now that consuming fish can improve your memory. But understanding exactly how fish works it’s magic has been the subject of many studies.

The prime suspect in this mystery has been DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid found in fish that is necessary for brain development. But could DHA actually help older adults combat normal age-related memory problems? After all, we do know that DHA levels decline with age.

In the latest study, researchers found that lab animals fed a high-DHA diet had 30 percent higher levels of DHA in the region of the brain responsible for memory than animals fed a standard diet. Furthermore, this increase in DHA resulted in better communication between memory cells and faster relays.

This study demonstrates two important points. First, supplementing a diet with DHA leads to an increase in the levels of DHA in the brain. And second, the additional DHA actually supports healthy memory function.

But the benefits of eating fish and DHA don’t stop there. The same research team found that DHA supports vision health and function as we age.  Plus there are decades of research documenting the benefits of consuming fish for supporting cardiovascular and bone health.   

Generally, health experts recommend at least two to three servings of oily fish per week to reap these benefits. If you’re not particularly fond of fish, or concerned about mercury or other contaminants in fresh fish, fish oil supplements can provide a safe and effective alternative to fish.

Fish oil supplements contain concentrated amounts of the beneficial DHA and EPA essential fatty acids that your body needs, but that must come from your diet.

About CNCA Fish Oil:

CNCA offers three ultra-pure fish oil supplements containing high levels of EPA and DHA: EPAmax lemon flavored fish oil capsules, EPAmax Liquid Fish Oil (lemon flavored), and Omega-3 Max EC enteric coated fish oil capsules.

To ensure maximum purity and potency, all CNCA fish oil supplements undergo molecular distillation to remove impurities. Then they are independently tested for Dual Rancidity (Peroxides and Acid Value), Mercury, Lead, Arsenic, Cadmium, EPA and DHA levels, PCBs, Dioxin and Dioxin-like compounds, stability and bacteria, yeast, and mold counts.

Sources:

University of Alberta