Omega-3 is known for offering various health benefits. A new study shows that a form of the supplement, known as lysophospholipid (LPC) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is capable of crossing into the eye to reduce visual decline related to Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and other disorders. Read on to find out more.

Most omega-3 is consumed in the form of triacylglycerol (TAG) DHA. Although TAG DHA produces several benefits in the body, it does not reach the eyes because it cannot travel to the retina through the bloodstream.

Scientists created LPC DHA and found it to reduce eye problems associated with Alzheimer’s-like processes in animal studies.

Dietary LPC-DHA is enormously superior to TAG-DHA in enriching retinal DHA and could be potentially beneficial for various retinopathies in patients,” said Sugasini Dhavamani, a research assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Illinois.

“This approach provides a novel therapeutic approach for the prevention or mitigation of retinal dysfunction. Associated with Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes.”

The Science Behind It

DHA is concentrated in the retina of healthy eyes. It helps maintain photoreceptors which convert light to signals that are sent to the brain. People with Alzheimer’s and other disorders often have low levels of retinal DHA leading to vision loss.

While boosting DHA can be helpful, it has been challenging with the supplements that are currently available. They must be able to be absorbed from the intestine to the bloodstream and then cross from the bloodstream into the retina.

“Increasing the retinal DHA at clinically feasible doses has not been possible until now because of the specificity of the blood-retinal barrier that is incompatible with the specificity of the intestinal barrier. This study uses the novel approach of dietary LPC-DHA that overcomes both intestinal and blood-retinal barriers and improves retinal function,” Dhavamani explained.

The Study

The researchers tested the effects of LPC-DHA in mice bred to exhibit processes that mimic that of early-onset Alzheimer’s. After six months, they were given a DHA daily supplement and showed a 96% improvement in retinal DHA content as well as preserved retinal structure and function. This compares to TAG DHA which does not affect retinal DHA levels of function.

Results suggest that LPC-DHA supplements could be effective in reducing visual decline related to Alzheimer’s and other disorders.

The daily dosage used in the study was equivalent to about 250 to 500 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids in humans. More studies are needed to determine if it would have the same effect on humans.

Dhavamani will present the research at Discover BMB, the annual meeting of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology which takes place March 25-28 in Seattle.