Post 10/02/2006
I was considerably cheered recently when I visited my ophthalmologist for a check-up and saw a shelf of vitamins in his lobby. Since I feel warm and fuzzy when I see a conventional physician recommending nutritional supplements, I had to ask.
“Let’s face it,” he began, “the evidence is too compelling to wait for further studies. People who eat fish regularly and take antioxidant supplements have fewer cataracts and much less macular degeneration than non-users. It’s a perfect ounce of prevention…”
At that point, had I not been peering into a device that held my chin in place and kept me from talking, I would have agreed–and added that antioxidants and fish oil (from fish and in fish oil capsules) have also been shown to lower the risks of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
The progression of early macular degeneration and cataracts can even be slowed down with fish oil capsules and antioxidants. I recommend that my patients take both daily.