Tag: eyes

Nuts, Seeds and Omega 3

Todays post is about nuts and omega 3.

A friend of ours was recently sharing that she had been craving nuts and seeds quite a lot in the past few weeks. She asked if we were aware of this being a symptom of anything.

We were not sure but thought it could mean that her body was craving Omega 3.

I decided to do some research and as usual am sharing my findings.

The health world has been focusing on Omega-3 fats as they play a major role in heart, brain and overall health.

So what is Omega-3?

Omega-3 is a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), a type of healthy fat.

There are actually three main kinds of omega-3 fatty acids, each capable of providing vital health benefits for the body and mind.

The 3 kinds are – Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

ALA is crucial for normal growth and development. It also helps maintain normal blood cholesterol levels.

EPA helps maintain normal blood pressure levels and reduce inflammation. EPA may also reduce the symptoms of depression.

DHA is important for brain development and function. It can also benefit heart health by reducing blood triglycerides (a type of fat found in the blood).

The body can’t produce these essential fatty acids on its own. It is important to make sure you’re getting enough through dietary sources. If you don’t, you could experience the symptoms of omega-3 deficiency.

In addition, there’s currently no standard test to diagnose an omega-3 deficiency, though there are several ways to analyze omega-3 levels.

To date, few studies have investigated the signs and symptoms of omega-3 deficiency. Therefore I was unable to find any studies to suggest that craving nuts or seeds, was an indicator of low levels.

There are however some other recognised symptoms of omega-3 deficiency.

Main symptoms of low omega 3
  • Hair and /or skin is feeling dry – this is because omega-3 fats help retain moisture in the skin, they also help keep your hair healthy.
  • Feeling anxious or depressed – DHA‘s are known to have neuro-protective and anti-inflammatory effects
  • Dry eyes – essential fatty acids play a role in eye health, including maintaining eye moisture.
  • Blood Pressure is higher that normal – Omega-3s are known as the “heart-healthy fats” and are associated with significantly lower blood pressure levels.

It is relatively easy to ensure good levels of these ‘fatty acids’ in your body simply by eating a varied diet.

Main Food Sources of Omega-3s

Plant oils such as flaxseed (linseed), soybean, and canola oils contain ALA.

Chia seeds, pumpkin seeds and walnuts also contain ALA.

Several types of fish contain omega 3 such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring, sardines, anchovies, bass, and cod.

Vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, kale, spinach, broccoli and cauliflower, are good sources of ALA.

Of course there are several other processed foods and supplements available that are fortified with DHA and other omega-3s.

So, in a nutshell, upping your omega-3 intake helps improve your skin and hair, lower your blood pressure and improve your overall heart health.

Till the next post,

Live clean n Prosper

Sources – U.S. National Institute of health – Healthline– WebMD –

Eyes, Bags and Dark Circles

Todays post is about under eye bags and dark circles.

This is a topic that has been discussed quite a bit lately with some of my friends and colleagues.
I decided to conduct some research into this topic to learn more about it. As usual I am sharing my newfound knowledge with you.

First, a bit about the eye area.

Our eyes sit in the eye socket and are supported there by many small muscles. There are also very small pads of fat that provide support to the tissue and skin around our eyes.
There are also a number of glands in the eyelids that provide the liquids that become our tears. The larger of the glands, located under the outside edge of the eyebrows, produces the watery part of the tears. There are series of small glands along the edge of the lower lids that makes the oil that becomes another part of the tear film.
The lower eyelid is composed of very thin skin, a small plate of dense connective tissue and muscles that close and open the lid. The shape of the lower eyelid is determined by the attachment of the supporting tendons as well as the tone and contraction of the muscles.

How do under eye bags develop?

Sometimes, the shape of the lower eyelids, including ‘bags’ can be a hereditary trait.
The most common cause of bags under the eyes is ageing.
As we age, the skin surrounding the eyes becomes thinner and loses elasticity. The muscles around the eyes also lose strength and density. Over time the fat pads that provide the support to the structure around the eye area, increase in size.
The combinations of these conditions can create drooping of the upper eyelids and the ‘bags’ under the eyes.
Excess fluid in the body can also pool there, making the lower lids more swollen, however this is usually a temporary issue.

So what causes dark circles?

The dark circles that can develop under the eyes as we age are often caused by the same conditions. As we have less tissue between the boney eye socket and the surface of the skin. This creates a slight hollow under the eyes, which is known as a tear trough, and can cause the area to appear darker.
Dark circles under the eyes can also be caused by other factors.
These include: pigmentation, allergies, anemia, dehydration, poor sleep and smoking.
Some medicated eye drops also cause discolouration of the skin around the eyes.

Sources – www.sciencedirect.com, www.emedicine.medscape.com, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, www.aao.org, www.researchgate.net,

How do we reduce eye bags and dark circles?

This is the million-dollar question.
There are many cosmetic companies, pharmaceutical companies, beauty clinics and plastic surgeons all vying for our business in this area.
The Internet is filled with home remedies and weird solutions for reducing eye bags and dark circles.

As each person’s skin is different and the causes for the appearance of dark circles are different, the solutions will be different.
For some, the only solution may be surgery, for others it may be a cream or make-up.

If you have either one, or both of these conditions, I hope that this information has helped you understand more about it.

Till the next post,

Live clean n prosper

A condition called ‘Dry Eyes’

[Today’s post is about an eye condition called Dry Eyes.

Recently I was talking to a work colleague about this condition. It is a condition that I have also experienced.

For me it presented as really watery eyes in the morning, so much so that it looked like I was crying. When I spoke to the Optometrist I thought it really weird that the condition was called “Dry Eyes” because they were far from dry.

At the time I did a little research to learn more about the condition. It wasn’t until recently that I thought that others would also be interested in what I learned.

So, as most of us are aware, the tears provide moisture and lubrication to help you see and to keep the eyes comfortable.

What’s in a tear?

Tears are a mix of water, oils, mucus and 1500 different special proteins and antibodies that protect the eyes and keep infection at bay. All these ingredients come from special glands around the eye.

So, what is the condition ‘Dry Eyes’?

The condition ‘Dry eyes’ occurs when your tears aren’t able to provide adequate lubrication for your eyes. Tears can be inadequate for many reasons.

What Causes it?

Sometimes, there’s a lack of balance in your tear-flow system. Items such as your air conditioner, heater, or other things around you could dry out your tear film. Other common causes include:

  • Certain medical conditions that affect your ability to make tears, including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disorders and vitamin A deficiency
  • Side effects of certain medications including antihistamines and decongestants.
  • The natural ageing process, especially menopause
  • Laser eye surgery, though symptoms of dry eyes related to this procedure are usually temporary
  • Tear gland damage from inflammation
  • Or increased tear evaporation, which may be caused by; Wind, smoke or dry air, Blinking less often, for example, while reading, driving or watching a screen, or an imbalance in tear composition
There are several different symptoms.

For some it creates a scratchy sensation or the feeling that something is in the eye.

Sometimes, dry eyes create too many tears. This confusing condition is called reflex tearing. It happens because the lack of moisture irritates your eye. It sends a distress signal through your nervous system for more lubrication. Your body sends a flood of tears to try to make up for the dryness.

Other symptoms include stinging or burning, discharge, pain, and redness in the eye. People with dry eye may also feel as if their eyelids are heavy and may experience blurred vision.   

 How Are Dry Eyes Treated?

There are a number of options. Mild dry eye symptoms may be treated with over-the-counter medications such as artificial tears, gels, and ointments. Many types of drops are available over the counter. No one product works for everyone, so you might have to try a few to figure out the one that’s right for you.

There are also environmental and lifestyle changes you can make. Changes like reducing screen time and taking periodic eye breaks may help. Closing the eyes for a few minutes, or blinking repeatedly for a few seconds, may help to replenish tears and spread them more evenly across the eyes.

(Sources  – www.nei.nih.gov, www.webmd.com, www.mayoclinic.org)

I hope that you also found this information helpful. If you find you have ‘dry eye’ symptoms, it’s best to ask your eye care professional what to do. My own condition improved after just a couple of weeks using an over-the-counter eye drops.

Till the next post,

Live clean n Prosper