Eating Seafood Can Help Protect Your Eyes, Heart And Kidneys, New Study Finds

New research indicates the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids and fish oils found in seafood may help protect the heart, eyes and kidneys.

The December issue of the quarterly PUFA Newsletter incorporates several different studies to show that higher intakes of fatty fish, or the omega-3s that they contain, can help lower the risk of heart disease, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and chronic kidney disorders.

A 12-year study identified in the newsletter has shown that people with intermediate AMD who reported a high intake of omega 3s were 30 percent less likely to progress to advanced AMD, the leading cause of vision loss in adults over the age of 60.

In other research, people with chronic kidney disorders who consumed high doses of the fatty acids had considerably lower blood pressure and heart rate compared to those who reported a low intake of the compound.

An independent study also suggests that older people with diabetes can lower the risk of heart failure with a greater consumption of fish oils.

"All of these findings suggest that people with chronic kidney disease, heart disease or diabetes can lower their chances of heart problems by increasing their intake of fish omega-3s," said Joyce Nettleton, editor of the PUFA Newsletter. "And they may see more clearly later in life."

Fish oils and related compounds are also available in the form of nutritional supplements.