NUTRITION
NUTRITION AND EYE HEALTH
Are your patients getting the proper minerals and nutrients to properly support their ocular and general health? The nutrients in fruits and vegetables are important to eye health, but the majority of Canadians may be missing out.
Based on the latest Statistics Canada report, in 2014, on average, 60% of Canadians consumed fruits and vegetables less than 5 times per day. This number jumps to 71% in men aged 45-64.[1]
Two fatty acids found in certain fish - eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) - have been associated with cardioprotective effects; improving blood flow, reducing inflammation, and lowering blood triglyceride levels.[1]
The 2012-2013 Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) showed an estimated 72.7% of Canadians consumed less than 1 serving of oily fish a week (where oily fish were any of 27 fish/shellfish that contain the most EPA+DHA).[1]
You can help ensure your patients overall and ocular health. A daily dose of multi-vitamin and/or omega-3 enhances the maintenance of good ocular and overall health.
Essential Nutrients for Overall Health and Ocular Health
"There is definitely an imbalance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the Western diet, we have too much omega-6. To fix this, we need to decrease the amount of omega-6s we eat, and we need to increase the amount of omega-3s we take. Fixing the diet plus adding in an omega-3 supplement is what I recommend!"
Shaun MacInnis, OD
Owner of Island Eyecare in Sydney, Nova Scotia
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Most Canadians are not getting the recommended daily amount of omega-3 fatty acids, namely, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), from diet alone.
To help ensure patients are consuming the correct amount of these omega-3s, recommending a daily dose of a multi-vitamin and/or omega-3 can be an effective way to reduce the onset of dry eyes and/or inflammation in patients that show signs of marginal osmolarity.
Omega-6 Fatty Acids
Gamma-linolic acid (GLA) is an important omega-6 that plays a role in the body’s ability to regulate and balance inflammation, showing positive effects specifically for dry eye and for increasing the tear production in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome.[2]
GLA is not easily accessible in the Western diet since there are few readily available dietary sources.Vitamin D
It is difficult to get vitamin D from natural dietary food sources, however, there are certain foods that are fortified with vitamin D, such as cow’s milk and margarine.
While vitamin D plays many roles in overall health, such as helping in the absorption and use of calcium and phosphorus, this nutrient may also help lesson dry eye symptoms and offer protection against the development of dry eye disease.[3]
Our Nutritional Supplements Offer the Following Benefits for Overall Health
- ✓ Helps support cardiovascular health
- ✓ Helps support cognitive health and brain function
- ✓ Helps support immune function
- ✓ Helps to promote healthy mood balance
- ✓ Helps to reduce serum triglycerides
Browse our vitamin selection below. Find the right nutritional supplement for your needs.
[1] Based on data gathered by Statistics Canada
[2] Laura Periman. 2018. “Studying the Role of Omegas in Dry Eye Disease: Beyond the Dream.” Ophthalmology Times 43 (11): 14–15.
[3] Yildirim, Pelin, Yesim Garip, Ayse Aslihan Karci, and Tuba Guler. 2016. “Dry Eye in Vitamin D Deficiency: More Than an Incidental Association.” International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases 19 (1): 49–54. https://doi.org/10.1111/1756-185X.12727.