Benefits of Eating Fish - Part 1

Coronary heart disease is a growing problem in a world where fast means better. People are searching for fast food, fast exercise, fast pleasure and fast results. The problem with fast is that it isn’t always the best option.

Taking care of your heart and your health is a long-term condition that is effective only if you continue to work at it each day. One factor in your arsenal of heart disease prevention is eating fish. The benefits of eating fish are many, but there appears to be some concern as well.

In an article in the Washington Post in October 2006, the writer quotes a study that indicated eating two servings of fish per week would decrease the overall mortality of participants by 17%. The death rate was 36% lower in those people who ate fish twice a week as opposed to those who ate little or no seafood. One of the studies published was from the Journal of the American Medical Association and the other by the Harvard School of Public Health. (1)

In another study that was federally funded and released by the Institute of Medicine echoed those same conclusions that the health benefits of eating seafood outweigh the risks. (2)

Even though fish contains methyl mercury the IOM report supported the current federal guidelines that advise women who are pregnant, nursing or plan to become pregnant and children 12 and under to avoid eating swordfish, shark, tilefish and king mackerel. The report also advised that those groups should also limit white tuna to six ounces per week. They did say that they can eat up to 12 ounces of other fish per week. Canned and farm raised salmon have the highest amount of omega-3 fatty acids and the lowest amount of mercury.

References:

(1) Washington Post: Benefits of Fish Exceed Risks

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/17/AR2006101700475.html

(2) Institute of medicine: Seafood Choices: Balancing Benefits and Risks

http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2006/Seafood-Choices-Balancing-Benefits-and-Risks.aspx

(3) Journal of Nutrition: The Omega-3 Fatty Acid Nutritional Landscape: Health Benefits and Sources

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22323763

Resources:

MayoClinic: Omega-3 in Fish: How Eating Fish Helps Your Heart

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/omega-3/HB00087

CNN: The Benefits of Eating Fish

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/07/11/pl.fish/