what make of fish oil does everybody use???

[willwork4tears]

Me too! I saw my eye Dr. yesterday and he said there's always a big argument at conferences over fatty acid supplementation: fish v flax, how much to use, optimal EPA/DHA ratios, does it work, blah blah blah. He says the doctors can only agree on two things: 1) you should supplement with both fish and flax and 2) that they can't agree on anything else!

He also said that the general consensus is that between 500 mg and 2000 mg per day of combined EPA + DHA is the optimal target for people with dry eye. So that helpful!

I believe that in general, the high Omega6:Omega3 ratio in the western diet does contribute to inflammation and therefore, I will also continue with the O-3 supplementation.

[Tempestuous]

Thanks Willwork4tears

I had actually seen the second one and printed that and this one I've attached, for my GP to look over. Hes also written to my specialist so we'll see what happens...

Management of Dry Eye Disease
http://www.ajmc.com/media/pdf/A191_0...pSS88to101.pdf

With regards to how much to take, wikipedia and other sources I've seen online point to the US FDA guidelines.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega-3_fatty_acid

"The FDA recommends that total dietary intake of n−3 fatty acids from fish not exceed 3 grams per day, of which no more than 2 grams per day are from nutritional supplements."

So something to keep in mind before going overboard.

You also stated:
"I believe that in general, the high Omega6:Omega3 ratio in the western diet does contribute to inflammation and therefore, I will also continue with the O-3 supplementation."

From what I've read I concur. Omega 6 appears to be only applicable if you already have an abundance of omega 3 in your diet and you need to boost the 6 for optimum balance. Outside of the Mediterranean - specifically Scandanavia, UK and North America - there appears to be a deficiency in omega 3 which is what supplementation should focus on.

[calli66]

Trader Joe's Omega 3 Odorless (they sell the odor and burp-up type, too---it's a dollar cheaper, but you have to throw them away, they're so bad).

Calli

[irish eyes]

Thanks Willwork4tears

...Outside of the Mediterranean - specifically Scandanavia, UK and North America - there appears to be a deficiency in omega 3 which is what supplementation should focus on.

I'm surprised that you include Scandinavia. Isn't their diet rich in protein and Omega 3 - based on high intakes of tasty fish such as herring, mackerel, salmon and trout.

I've been to Norway and Sweden a few times and the food suited me down to the ground.

[Roderick]

I just started taking BioTears, only for one day, and already these seems to be a significant difference in my eyes. They feel a bit soothed, and watery, something I haven't felt in months. I almost couldn't believe it at first.

[Tempestuous]

I'm surprised that you include Scandinavia.

To clarify, I was not stating personal opinion, but rather a summary of my research.

Those locations were the sites of trials conducted.

The research & conclusions about the impact of default levels of omega 3 and 6 intake in the diet were shown in Willwork4tears second link and subsequently extrapolated in my first link.

[irish eyes]

Sorry Tempestuous - I thought that this was your summary but I was just expressing my surprise at the mention of Scandinavia.

When I have time, I will look at all the research more closely.

[Tempestuous]

@irish eyes
OK, no worries.

@Roderick
Thats remarkably sudden - good luck and long may it last.

Since we are talking anecdotal, for what its worth, I'll say that I have experimented with fish oil over 2.5 cycles (off-on-off-on-off) for periods of 3-6 months over the last 2.5 years spread over different times of the year as much as was reasonably practicable. Dosage was approx 300-600mg combined epa & dha. I find there is an improvement when I am on it, although it takes 1-2 months before I notice anything. Although perhaps its more precise to say that I notice the deterioration when I'm not on it.

Obviously there are too many factors in life to pinpoint it down to this one issue, but its an interesting observation warranting further investigation - as all these studies tend to say.

However, at this stage I'd be inclined to say that for me, its not a silver bullet but rather an intrinsic part of the entire management strategy.

And I need to get back on it!

[Roderick]

Do you guys think I should try fish oil on top of BioTears or would that be mostly redundant?

[irish eyes]

Hi Roderick

I'm speaking personally here as I have tried so many things over the years. I would stick to the Bio Tears for a longer period and not add in other supplements - or at least not yet.

I also try to make sure that I avoid foods that might cause inflammation but that certainly doesn't cause me any hardship! If nothing else, it keeps me fitter.

I'm not sure if Bio Tears are available here in the UK so I cannot comment about their efficacy. I took Theratears for a long time but I didn't notice any difference.

[donkey]

how much EPA and DHA should you take in one day for dry eyes?

im going to buy some NutraSea omega3 but im not sure which i should go for:

Ascenta NutraSea+D EPA-750mg DHA-500mg
Ascenta NutraSea HP EPA-1500mg DHA-500mg