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(I-MED Pharma)
Updated May 2023: Since the initial release of this blog post, I-VU® OMEGA now contains increased levels of DPA.
Our daily diet has an impact on our overall health and in the prevention of diseases, and with that in mind, I-MED Pharma is excited to introduce its newest nutritional supplement, I-VU® OMEGA-3! This omega-3 liquid supplement is the only one of its kind on the market formulated specifically for dry eyes, contains high daily levels of omega-3s, the daily recommended dose of vitamin D3, and contains GLA. A highly purified and concentrated supplement, it is beneficial for dry eye as it helps relieve symptoms of dry eye syndrome and supports proper tear function in adults. I-VU® OMEGA-3 is also used for the maintenance of good health, helps support cardiovascular health, cognitive health, brain function, immune function, healthy mood balance, and reduce serum triglycerides levels.
While liquid fish oil supplements have a long history of use (for example cod liver oil for children taken during WWII in Britain), I-MED Pharma’s dedication to #advancingthescienceofdryeye means I-VU® OMEGA-3 is formulated with the same commitment to research and innovation that all I-MED Pharma products are known for. Just one teaspoon of this nutritionally packed supplement contains 1500 mg EPA, 750 mg DHA, 90 mg DPA, 200 mg GLA, and 25 mcg vitamin D3 and is easily absorbed by the body, providing these
essential nutrients to help with dry eye disease. It also has a great lemon flavour with no fishy aftertaste!
Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of this nutritional supplement, how these nutrients contribute to a healthy lifestyle and, most importantly, how this supplement can help with dry eyes.
Why take an omega-3 fish oil nutritional supplement?
Most Canadians do not consume the recommended amounts of oily fish per week,[1] to provide the proper balance between essential fatty acids. Omega-3s and omega-6s are named essential fatty acids because they are required for good health, but they cannot be synthesized by the human body. The standard North American diet is over-abundant in omega-6s, and it is important to decrease how much omega-6 foods we eat as well as increase the amount of omega-3s we consume (through diet and by taking an omega-3 supplement) to create a better balance between these essential fatty acids.
Nutrients from the land, sky, and sea
Consuming too many omega-6s in a diet creates an imbalance between the essential fatty acids, however, gamma-linolic acid (GLA) is an omega-6 that can play a role in the body’s ability to regulate and balance inflammation. In studies, GLA has shown positive effects specifically for dry eye.[2] GLA is not very accessible in the current Western diet since there are few readily available dietary sources for it. Borage oil, an extract made from the borage (also known as starflower) plant has a high GLA content and is the source of GLA in I-VU® OMEGA-3.
People meet some of their vitamin D needs from sunlight, as our bodies synthesize this unique nutrient after the skin is exposed to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Certain factors, such as the amount of sunlight our body receives due to weather, time of day, and sunscreen use, as well as other factors such as aging, can limit the amount of vitamin D the body absorbs. Some foods are fortified with vitamin D, such as cow’s milk and margarine, in Canada. Vitamin D helps the body absorb and use calcium and phosphorus, which is important for bones and teeth. Vitamin D may also help lesson dry eye symptoms as well as offer protection against the development of dry eye disease.[3] Just one teaspoon of I-VU® OMEGA-3 contains the daily recommended dose of vitamin D3.
Knowing what to eat for dry eyes is important. Oily fish contains the omega-3s eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) which are part of a healthy diet. These important fatty acids offer health benefits to various parts of the human body, including the heart and brain, and they help relieve symptoms of dry eye while supporting proper tear function in adults. I-VU® OMEGA-3 provides high levels of these important fatty acids in the easily digestible re-esterified triglyceride form (rTG), which is an extra purification step I-MED Pharma takes to ensure a more potent and effective product.
Capsules or liquid… your choice!
With this new omega-3 supplement, I-MED Pharma provides patients the chance to choose the supplement format that fits best into their lifestyle. An omega-3 liquid formulation has advantages in that it can be taken alone or easily added to foods like smoothies, salad dressing, or even a morning orange juice and can be easier for people who may have trouble swallowing capsules (like kids) to take. On the other hand, rTG omega-3 capsules offer convenience in terms of portability for travel, are in pre-measured doses, and fit into many people’s medication/supplement routine.
I-MED Pharma’s mission is to bring complete relief to dry eye and ocular surface disease patients worldwide. No matter which I-MED Pharma omega-3 product is chosen, these supplements provide high-quality, nutritionally concentrated nutrients that meet dietary and health needs and help relieve dry eye syndrome symptoms in adults!
[1] Langlois, Kellie, and Walisundera Nimal Ratnayake. 2015. “Omega-3 Index of Canadian Adults.” Health Reports 26 (11): 3-11.
[2] Laura Periman. 2018. “Studying the Role of Omegas in Dry Eye Disease: Beyond the Dream.” Ophthalmology Times 43 (11): 14–15.
[3] Yildirim, Pelin, Yesim Garip, Ayse Aslihan Karci, and Tuba Guler. 2016. “Dry Eye in Vitamin D Deficiency: More Than an Incidental Association.” International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases 19 (1): 49–54. https://doi.org/10.1111/1756-185X.12727.