Seafood Health Benefits
Fish Oil Benefits
The inclusion of Seafood in a healthy diet is highly recommended by many doctors and nutritionists.
Once considered to be the food of the poor, today the fish and generally the seafood is found on the top of the food pyramid.
Seafood - Fish Oil Benefits
As Shown in the Balanced Diet page, we need good proteins and fats, which are essential in building physical structures of the body.
It is well known that fish is very low in cholesterol, but its fat is very rich in healthy oils (Omega 3 Fatty Acids) and is recommended for health problems like:
- asthma and pulmonary disease,
- rheumatoid arthritis,
- multiple sclerosis,
- psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease
Although not all seafood is high in omega 3s, fish still can contribute important amounts of these fatty acids if they're eaten regularly.
The following link provides a general overview of fish and their omega 3
fat content." informs IFIC
- International Food Information Council
You owe it to yourself to use only the purest, and thus the safest omega-3 fish oil available, plus it also has to be the most effective in order for you to receive the benefits above. If you and your family want the best product possible there are certain guidelines that you need to follow
Seafood in Weight Loss Diet
Seafood can be an important part of a weight loss diet - It is a good source of high quality protein like Omega 3 fatty acids and other nutrients and is low in fat.
By being informed about mercury in fish and knowing the kinds of fish that are safe to eat, you can prevent any harm to your health and still enjoy the benefits of eating seafood.
Seafood - Source of minerals and vitamins
Seafood is also an excellent source of minerals and vitamins
such as:
- Iodine - essential for the thyroid gland functioning,
- iron - for red cell formation,
- zinc - required for wound healing
Seafood is especially rich in:
- niacin - essential for healthy skin and for the release of energy in the body,
- vitamin B complex - needed for metabolic processes
- Oysters, mussels and scallops are excellent sources of iron and zinc.
When it comes to your heart, a few servings of fish go a long, long way. But government warnings about high methyl mercury levels in some fish have people worried about adding more fish to their diet.
Benefits of Sardines
Sardines are supposed to be one of the most healthier seafood and food in general.
They are a rich source of: vitamin B12 (second after the beef liver), tryptophan, vitamin D, Omega 3 fatty acids, good proteins, phosphorus, calcium and vitamin B (niacin) and iodine.
Canned sardines in olive oil are more recommended than those in soybean oil!
Fresh sardines from Pacific are considered one of the "Super Green Food"
Coldwater fish
Fish from cold water is more beneficial for a healthy diet because of it's high content in fat.
The American Heart Association recommends that you
eat fish rich in omeg3 fatty acids twice a week in order to reap specific
health benefits.
The American Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada:
Women's Health and Nutrition position paper suggests consuming
two to three fish meals per week, along with a low-fat diet, for heart
health.
Salmon Nutrition Facts - wild salmon vs. Farmed Salmon
1. Salmon and Pollution
Studies show that farmed Atlantic salmon contains higher levels of unhealthy saturated fats than wild coho, sockeye, steelhead pink and chum salmon. In addition, research indicates that farmed salmon have more PCBs and dioxins than wild salmon.
2. Salmon and Vitamin D
Samples of wild Pacific salmon tested on behalf of CTV News at laboratories in B.C. had eight times more Vitamin D and three times more Vitamin A than farmed Atlantic salmon. The samples of wild salmon were also leaner.
But that doesn't mean you should avoid farmed salmon, dietitians say. The benefits of this nutrient-rich food are so great that it should be a staple in all diets, regardless of the source, they say.
"If you can still afford the gold standard of wild salmon, that's the best. If not, then farmed salmon is still really good for you," said Lori Petryk, a Vancouver-based dietician.
Seafood Health risks
Pregnant women should be informed that some fish contain high levels of a form of mercury called methyl mercury that can harm an unborn child's developing nervous system if eaten regularly.
Eating Fresh fish
Whatever kind of fish you choose for eating, its freshness is very important, because fish deteriorates rapidly and can become toxic.
How can you figure out if the fish is fresh?
- The fish's eyes should be clear and bulge a little. Only a few fish, such as walleye, have naturally cloudy eyes
- Whole fish and fillets should have firm and shiny flesh. Dull flesh may mean the fish is old. Fresh whole fish also should have bright red gills free from slime
- If the flesh doesn't spring back when pressed, the fish isn't fresh
- There should be no darkening around the edges of the fish or brown or yellowish discoloration
- The fish should smell fresh and mild, not fishy
or ammonia-like
Source: Excerpted from FDA Consumer, February 1999: Critical Steps Toward Safer Seafood
Sea Vegetables and seaweed supplements
Seaweed supplements and Seaweeds (also called Sea Algae) are are a rich, natural source of minerals, trace minerals and rare earth elements.
These mysterious sea water plants can be used in delicious food recipes, as home spa treatments and topical treatments for specific ills.
Seaweeds contain many nutritional elements like vitamins and minerals. They are a high source of iodine, which vary from plant to plant and may not be suitable for everybody's consumption - you should always consult your physician about your iodine needs.
