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Health Benefits of Fish Consumption

Health Benefits of Fish Consumption

FromFork U with Dr. Terry Simpson


Health Benefits of Fish Consumption

FromFork U with Dr. Terry Simpson

ratings:
Length:
16 minutes
Released:
Mar 1, 2024
Format:
Podcast episode

Description

Health Benefits of Fish ConsumptionFish consumption has been linked to various health benefits due to its rich nutritional profile.  The health benefits of fish consumption include cardiovascular health, brain function, and well-being. Because fish are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, they are an important part of a balanced diet.Fish, the Most Ancestral FoodFish has long been recognized as a valuable source of essential nutrients beneficial for human health. Seafood is a staple part of the diet across different cultures and regions.  Since most of the first human communities were coastal, fish were a common source of food.Cardiovascular Health Exceeds RiskRegular fish intake reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as coronary heart disease and stroke (Mozaffarian & Rimm, 2006).  That study showed that the benefits of fish intake exceed the potential risks. Even for women of childbearing age, the benefits of modest fish intake, excepting a few selected species, also outweigh the risks.  The heart health effect comes from the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) found abundantly in fatty fish species (Kris-Etherton et al., 2002). These fatty acids exert anti-inflammatory, antiarrhythmic, and vasodilatory effects, lowering blood pressure and triglyceride levels and reducing the formation of blood clots (Calder, 2015).Brain FunctionFish consumption has also been associated with improved cognitive (brain) function and a reduced risk of brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. The omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA play a crucial role in brain health (Gómez-Pinilla, 2008). Epidemiological studies have consistently shown a positive correlation between higher fish consumption and better memory (ref). Moreover, research suggests early-life exposure to seafood has long-term brain benefits and decreases age-related cognitive decline (Wurtman et al., 2009).Nutrient Profile, Such as Vitamin DBut omega-3 fatty acids are not the only benefit of eating fish. Fish are also a rich source of various essential nutrients vital for human health. Vitamin D, in particular, is naturally abundant in fatty fish and plays a crucial role in bone health, immune function, and mood regulation (Holick, 2007).  These include high-quality protein, vitamins (such as vitamin D and B-complex vitamins), and minerals (such as selenium, iodine, and zinc) (Kris-Etherton et al., 2002). Furthermore, the bioavailability of these nutrients from fish is superior to other dietary sources, including supplements.  Thus, fish consumption is an efficient means of meeting nutritional requirements (Rosell & Appleby, 2006).Fish FarmsAquaculture, the farming of fish and aquatic organisms, has undergone significant advancements in recent years, leading to improvements in sustainability, efficiency, and product quality. Fish Farms have had significant problems in the past.  In the last fifteen years, there has been an improvement in environmental management strategies and sustainable farming practices.Those practices have changed my mind about seafood. Consequently, you can now buy quality farm-raised seafood, which adheres to the high standards of any food. Hence, I now recommend some...
Released:
Mar 1, 2024
Format:
Podcast episode

Titles in the series (55)

Fork U(niversity) Not everything you put in your mouth is good for you. There’s a lot of medical information thrown around out there. How are you to know what information you can trust, and what’s just plain old quackery? You can’t rely on your own “google fu”. You can’t count on quality medical advice from Facebook. You need a doctor in your corner. On each episode of Your Doctor’s Orders, Dr. Terry Simpson will cut through the clutter and noise that always seems to follow the latest medical news. He has the unique perspective of a surgeon who has spent years doing molecular virology research and as a skeptic with academic credentials. He’ll help you develop the critical thinking skills so you can recognize evidence-based medicine, busting myths along the way. The most common medical myths are often disguised as seemingly harmless “food as medicine”. By offering their own brand of medicine via foods, These hucksters are trying to practice medicine without a license. And though they’ll claim “nutrition is not taught in medical schools”, it turns out that’s a myth too. In fact, there’s an entire medical subspecialty called Culinary Medicine, and Dr. Simpson is certified as a Culinary Medicine Specialist. Where today's nutritional advice is the realm of hucksters, Dr. Simpson is taking it back to the realm of science.