Flaxseed oil & cataracts

[mspirk]

Interesting article on flaxseed oil possibly contributing to cataract formation.
Also, see an article on Restasis on Biosyntrx's blog
http://www.biosyntrx.com/Article.php?ArticleID=505

[Eli]

That's probably not good! I take flax seed oil myself, previously from Theratears capsules, and now on it's own at the suggestion of the director of corneal services at Mass Eye and Ear. There definately seems to be some difference of opinion as to which omega-3 is best. As a counterpoint, I have seen an article about the caveats of using black currant seed oil as Biosyntrx does. I don't recall the specifics. Who is right? Could this just be a marketing ploy? Who knows.

[Rebecca Petris]

The abstract of the study refers only to dietary ALA (not supplements) and other than that it does not identify anything at all about the specific ALA sources.

Who is right? Could this just be a marketing ploy? Who knows.

Well heck, beef producers could probably use the same abstract to support the claim that soy-loving vegetarians are at greater cataract risk.

The Biosyntrx article underscores the ALA in flaxseed oil (which just happens to be the best-selling supplement for people with dry eye because it's what doctors are most likely to recommend) but also rightly points out that ALA is in canola oil and soybean oil. To say nothing of soybeans and walnuts and other things that find their way into most people's diets through many avenues.

There are so many conflicting claims and counterclaims amongst the manufacturers of these supplements that it's practically impossible to sift wheat from chaff and make sense of it unless you've got a PhD in nutrition science. Nothing against any of them individually, but to hear each talk you'd think they alone have the miracle capsule AND everyone else's will not merely not help but may harm you. I don't buy it.

(can you tell I'm grumpy without my sclerals?)