It's believed that the n-3 type of fatty acids help to normalize elevated blood lactic acid, while arginine has been known to enhance immune response. The dogs were fed twice a day during and after their cancer treatment. These raised levels were inversely related to lactic acid accumulation in the blood, an increase that otherwise happens in response to an upset metabolism in cancer patients. Moreover, higher DHA and EPA levels were significantly linked to a longer period of remission and survival time for dogs with Stage III lymphoma. This is a group of diseases that cause degeneration of the retina, leading to a host of vision problems, including the loss of night vision and peripheral vision.
Sufferers usually lose most of their sight very gradually over the course of three decades.
Lutein, which accumulates over a lifetime to form the pigment in the retina, particularly the macula, is believed to offer protection against phototoxic damage. The research was meant to scientifically assess anecdotal accounts of experiencing vision improvements due to lutein intake. Participants had to measure their own vision as required throughout the course of the study. Two weeks prior to the study, the 16 subjects measured their visual acuity using six specially created letter charts in a Microsoft Word format, designed by the researchers for this study. They also received instructions on how to make a wall chart in order to test their central visual field area.