 Health
Benefits
Fish is a good source of
nutrition and many kinds of fish are low-cost and easy to prepare. DOH recommends people
eat a variety of fish and shellfish as part of a balanced diet.
- Fish is an excellent
low-fat food, a great source of protein, vitamins and minerals.
- The oils in fish are
important for unborn and breastfed babies.
- Eating a variety of fish
helps to reduce your chances of stroke or heart attack.
Fish and Your Heart
Omega-3 fatty acids are
polyunsaturated fatty acids found in all seafood, including shellfish, oysters
and shrimp. When combined with a healthful eating plan, research suggests
these fatty acids may help protect against heart disease, including lowering the risk for heart attacks and sudden cardiac arrest
due to an irregular heartbeat.
While there are no specific
dietary recommendations for omega-3 fatty acids, studies show the protective effects of omega-3s can be achieved by eating fresh water fish and
seafood twice a week. Since there are more than 200 species of fish and
shellfish available, adding fish and shellfish to your weekly eating plan is
easy. (Information About Omega-3s Courtesy of the American Dietetic
Association.)
Protecting Against
Stroke
Eating a variety of fish on
a regular basis may help to reduce your chances of some common types of
stroke. Stokes and heart attacks can occur due to blood clots, and blood clots
are caused when platelets (a part of blood) clump. Fish, like aspirin,
keep platelets from clumping and, therefore, help prevent clots.
Fish are Important
In Washington State, fish
and shellfish are not only important sources of nutrition, catching, preparing
and eating fish are important cultural and family practices as well.
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