Posted on 09/18/2023 9:11:06 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
Research led by Nicolas Bazan, MD, Ph.D. suggests that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) decreases an essential fatty acid, preventing the formation of a class of protective molecules and reducing repair potential. The discovery may also open new therapeutic avenues for AMD.
The study shows that AMD decreases peripheral retinal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 22:6 in rod photoreceptor cells, limiting the elongation of fatty acids to form very-long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC-PUFAs). VLC-PUFAs are precursors of elovanoids, bioactive chemical messengers made from omega-3 very- long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Elovanoids, discovered by the Bazan lab, have been shown to restore the structure and integrity of damaged photoreceptor cells by repairing, remodeling and regenerating healthy cells. The loss of the neuroprotective precursors of elovanoids in the retina periphery from AMD facilitates uncompensated stress and cell loss.
"Biosynthetic fatty acid pathway insufficiencies may be a fundamental factor in the onset and progression of macular degenerative diseases leading to blindness," notes Dr. Bazan.
"In AMD, the female retina loses peripheral rod VLC-PUFAs to about 33% less than in males, limiting elovanoid formation and its protective bioactivity," adds Bazan.
According to the Bright Focus Foundation, nearly 20 million US adults have some form of age-related macular degeneration. An estimated 18 million people aged 40 and older were living with early-stage macular degeneration in 2019, and 1.49 million had late-stage macular degeneration. Around 200 million people worldwide are thought to be living with AMD, a number expected to reach 288 million by 2040.
Age is a prominent risk factor for age-related macular degeneration. The risk of getting advanced age-related macular degeneration increases from 2% for those ages 50–59, to nearly 30% for those over the age of 75.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
As we don’t typically get a lot of DHA, and, though, we can make it from ALA Omega-3 (flaxseed or chia seed), we also don’t eat a lot of those seeds. Regardless, our bodies only convert a very small portion of ALA to DHA.
Eat salmon or sardines or use fish oil/algae supplements to help increase DHA levels, which may still help, especially if you get none, today.
The discovery may also open new therapeutic avenues for AMD.
Fish oil comes to mind, and higher doses might be in order.
I have a condition that mimics Macular Degeneration called Central Serous Retinopathy. It has been a serious problem at some times. Fortunately, it comes and goes. When it first became a problem, my doctor wasn’t sure what it was, and I had to go to a specialist.
The 2nd image shows what a grid looks like to someone who has macular degeneration, or in my case Central Serous Retinopathy. There is typically a darker area where the distortion is. It can be in one eye or both at the same time. Words on the page or computer screen can be distorted enough that it makes it difficult to read.
Looking with cup half full thinkiing, Macular degeneration has a side benefit. Ugly people look less ugly!
Me too.
Saw that headline and wondered if I should sell off my AMD stock!
My optometrist thirty years ago said I had AMD in my left eye which had sustained some damage in a wreck. My MD told me to take 20 units of Lutein daily “for my eyes” and gave me a cross hatch chart to look at periodically. The AMD shows as the lines on the chart being squiggly. After two decades the lines had gotten a lot less so but had not improved in a long time so, after researching on-line I added astaxanthin and doubled the lutein. Ten years later the squiggle is down to one line barely.
lutein and astaxanthin.
https://www.jlr.org/article/S0022-2275(21)00040-7/fulltext
Overview of how N32 and N34 elovanoids sustain sight by protecting retinal pigment epithelial cells and photoreceptors
Zeaxanthin ?
Wear sunglasses!
I think I am developing AMD of some sort...started noticing wavy horizontal lines, reading FR...cannot get in to opthamalogist till 10/31
I’ve had AMD for a few years now the dry kind, and my eye Doctor put me on a Bausch and Lomb vitamin twice a day. When I asked her how do I now if it works she said if it does not get worse. At least she didn’t tell me to order a white cane with a red tip./s
Glad I often have bagel and lox for breakfast
I’ve had AMD for a few years now the dry kind, and my eye Doctor put me on a Bausch and Lomb vitamin twice a day. When I asked her how do I now if it works she said if it does not get worse. I’m going to ad Omega 3.
What about Flaxseed Capsules along with Fish Oil Capsules? I do eat a good amount of Chia Seeds in yogurt and Oatmeal, about 2 tablespoons a day for fiber, I also take the Areds Vitamins but use the Kroger off brand.
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