Rawalpindi:Eating fish at least twice a week in the colder months of the year may help reduce the risk of diseases in adults such as osteoporosis, heart disease, stroke, cancer, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, as well as infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and even seasonal flu while it also help safeguard children from respiratory infections.
It is a proven fact that vitamin D found in fish is a nutrient that functions like a steroid hormone in the body while omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for the body and the brain to function optimally and are strongly linked to reduced risk of many diseases.
Fish being a great source of high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids and iodine along with various vitamins and minerals that are essential nutrients lowers the risk of heart attacks and strokes known as two of the world’s biggest killers.
Patients suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure and other chronic diseases become at risk of facing serious complications in the winter while the number of cases with colds and flu along with respiratory tract infections particularly involving throat and chest registers a sharp increase. The consumption of fish, according to health experts, is the best way to keep winter-related health threats away.
Experts say that eating fish twice a week is a must because majority of our population is facing deficiency of much essential nutrients that fish and fish products contain. Fish and fish products are the best dietary sources of vitamin D while omega-3 fatty acids are much essential for growth and development especially because it accumulates in the developing brain and eye. All types of fish are good but some fish are better than the others because of having more omega-3 fatty acids as the fatty types of fish are considered as the healthiest. Eating fish twice a week is much beneficial for pregnant and lactating women.
Studies reveal that decline in brain function in the old age can be prevented by regular consumption of fish. People who eat fish regularly have more grey matter in the brain centers that control memory and emotion. Studies also reveal that eating fish may help preventing and treating depression making one a happier person. The consumption of fish helps prevent asthma in children and may protect vision in the old age.
Studies reveal that people who eat more fish have a much lower risk of developing macular degeneration, a leading cause of vision impairment and blindness. Consumption of fish improves quality of sleep and minimizes the effects of sleep disorders while a few servings of fish in diet each week may reduce risk of cancer as vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids are linked to a lower risk of cancer.
