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Seafood - A Healthy And Delicious Diet |
By:
Isabel Da Silva |
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Seafood - A Healthy and Delicious Diet
Isabel Da Silva
Fish and other seafood are excellent sources of protein while being relatively low in saturated fats and calories compared to other sources of protein such as fatty meats.
This fact alone makes fish a worthwhile addition to one's diet. However, there is an even greater benefit. Fish is one of the richest natural sources of Omega 3 essential fatty acids. Fatty fish such as salmon and trout in particular have high levels of Omega 3 fatty acids.
Recent studies have proven records that Omega 3 fatty acids gives protection against circulatory system disease by reducing the levels of bad cholesterol and by stabilizing blood pressure. There are as well many other heath benefits of consuming seafood. Children may achieve prevention from asthma and seafood further reduces the risk of prostate cancer.
Omega 3 also prevents the onset of diseases such as macular degeneration, one of the most common causes of blindness associated with aging. It also helps diabetics maintain better control of blood sugar levels and has been shown to delay the onset of dementia and even Alzheimer's disease.
Other of late research and studies have concentrated on its effect on the body's nervous system, which was proven beneficial for brain function and most effective for fighting against depression.
Omega 3 fatty acids do not occur naturally in cells of the body and must therefore be obtained through one's diet. Clearly Omega 3 fatty acids have many health benefits but do they have to come from fish and seafood?
You can come across three different types of Omega 3 fatty acids such as ALA - alpha-linolenic acid, EPA - eicosapentaenoic acid and DHA - docosahexaenoic acid
Alpha-linolenic acid is generally derived from in tofu and other kinds of soybeans, canola, walnut and flaxseed, and their oils. Any how, ALA requires being transformed in the body before it could be completely absorbed. Your body may not be actually efficient absorbing and evidence that this absorption in fact takes place is rather tenuous.
As a result EPA and DHA become the most significant dietary sources of Omega 3 fatty acids and this is where fish comes into its own. They are one of the most abundant sources of DHA and EPA.
Naturally, too much of anything can have negative effects and eating fish is no exception. One major negative of eating too much fish is the incidental and unintended consumption of contaminants which the fish have picked up in the waterways. While there are a variety of industrial contaminants that are of concern the primary problem is mercury.
Due to differences in food sources mercury levels in fish vary depending on whether the fish are farmed or caught in the wild. However, in general larger fish, higher up in the food chain have a greater accumulation of contaminants including mercury. In normal circumstances the levels of mercury in most fish are not likely to cause serious concern to a healthy adult unless consumed to excess.
However, infants, children and pregnant women may be more susceptible to harm at lower levels of mercury. It is therefore important to limit the intake of fish by persons in these categories. Mercury could damage the growing nervous systems of young children or the developing fetus and may increase the risk of miscarriage in pregnant women.
The predominance of proof anyhow falls exactly in favor of consuming fish. The health advantages derivative from Omega 3 far prevail over the possible dangers from contaminants. If taken in control there is little doubt that fish could be certainly beneficial.
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Article Source: http://www.statssheet.com/articles/article63653.html |
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