Fish & Your Health

Healthy Heart

Various studies and researches have proved that the best sources of good fats, vitamins, and minerals to promote good health can actually be found in different seafoods. The only drawback is that it took so many years for most people to realize the health benefits of having seafood in their diet.

So for those who still do not understand why most people are into sashimi and grilled tuna these days, just keep on reading and I will let you on to some secrets.

Here’s why: Fish is your heart’s best friend

Undeniably, fish is exceptionally low-fat food. The fats contained in fish and fish oils are high in Omega-3 fatty acids. These are polyunsaturated fatty acids known to protect the body against heart diseases. These so called “good fats” also aid in lowering cholesterol, decreasing blood clotting factors, increasing beneficial relaxation in larger arteries and blood vessels, and decreasing the inflammatory process in blood vessels.

One serving of fish 2 to 3 times per week keeps arthritis away.

There have been clinical trials that have shown that one serving of fish two to three times a week can actually lessen arthritis symptoms by fighting inflammation, decreasing fatigue and reducing morning stiffness.

Some varieties of seafoods strengthen the immune system.

Studies showed that certain varieties of fishes and shellfishes have very high antioxidant vitamin E, aside from vitamins C, D, and A. These antioxidants boost the immune system and also lower the risk of heart disease by reducing buildup of plaque in coronary arteries.

Seafoods in a pregnant woman’s diet make smart and healthy kids.

According to several researchers, the Omega-3 fatty acids found in different types of fish and shellfish can be vital during an unborn child’s development in the womb. It greatly assists in neural development as well as eye development.

There have also been studies showing that these essential fatty acids have a positive effect on Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in children.

Also, a healthy diet for children with two to three servings of fresh seafoods per week can definitely increase their learning ability and improve their health in the future.

The fatty acids in fish can alleviate the symptoms of depression.

Omega-3 fatty acids can also ease the signs of depression in patients who do not respond to typical anti-depressant medications.

Studies showed that depressed patients who had a greater amount of seafoods in their diet, particularly fish, had lower symptoms such as sadness, anxiety, and sleeping problems.

Shellfish ensures healthy skin and eyes.

Different varieties of shellfish are rich in vitamins and minerals, aside from being very low in fat content. Hence, these guarantee healthy skin and promote good eyesight because vitamins contained in shellfish aid in the formation and use of red blood cells and muscles.

Children who eat oily fish may have a lower risk of getting asthma.

Studies showed that children who were able to receive at least 300mg of fish oil a day had undergone noteworthy improvement of asthma symptoms. This is because fish oils aid in controlling food allergens and environmental allergens in the body.

Fish eaters have lower risks of getting cancer.

The Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish are the essential components responsible for protection against cancer. In fact, there have been reports that people who eat fish regularly have low risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, stomach, colon, rectum, pancreas, lung, breast, and prostate.

Fatty fish are the best natural source of Vitamin D.

In areas like the North America where people do not get enough Vitamin D, a nutrient important for stronger bones, substituting foods can be difficult because of a lack of vitamin D-rich options. However, after some careful studies, most nutritionist found that fatty fish are excellent sources of vitamin D. They state that a serving of fatty fish a day can provide 90% of the recommended dietary requirement for vitamin D.

Essential fatty acids found in most seafood may reduce the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Various reports have recommended that long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly those of the omega-3 family, can actually slow mental decline and even reduce the development of Alzheimer’s disease in older people. These kinds of polyunsaturated fatty acids are structural components of neural membranes and are linked to some aspects of nervous tissue functions. With these kinds of fatty acids in the body, inflammation and pro-inflammatory substances in the brain (to which Alzheimer’s disease, a type of dementia, is linked) are reduced.

With all these viable health benefits of seafoods, there’s no denying, seafoods are remarkable creatures marvelously made just for the health of it!

Coleen Panetti is a researcher for the Happy seafood info directory happyseafood.com
Article Source: health-articles.health-diet-alternativemedicine-info.co.uk. Ramsdens has no connection with Coleen Panetti and the information above is used as a guide only.

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