Eating fatty fish is good for your health

health fish food diet

via NY Daily News

There’s no question that we Americans don’t have enough fish in our diets. As little fish as we eat, we consume even less fatty fish, which is a bigger tragedy.

Fatty fish — herring, sardines, salmon, tuna, trout and others — are our only source of fish oil (outside of supplementation).

Doctors are particularly concerned that pregnant and breastfeeding women are not consuming enough of the omega-3 acids found in fish oil.

Fish oils are especially valuable to unborn children. Omega-3 consumption may help boost fetal cognitive and motor development.

A 2008 study found that omega-3 consumption by a mother during her last three months of pregnancy improved her baby’s sensory, cognitive and motor development.

The benefits of fatty fish oil for adults are not to be scoffed at either. You’ve heard that fish is “brain food.” That’ probably due to the effect fish oil has on your memory. Researchers have documented that omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil boosts working memory in young adults.

In a related vein, a 2007 study indicated that fish oils may help young people with behavioral problems, especially those with ADHD.

Kids who consumed between 8 and 16 grams per day of EPA and DHA (the long chain omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil) showed significant improvements in their behavior.

Fish oil fans have popularly claimed that regular consumption of their favorite food is a ward against Alzheimer’s disease.

This one’s a hung jury: a 2010 study found no difference between fish oil and a placebo in Alzheimer’s prevention.

Another published in 2007 showed that a diet rich in fish, omega-3 oils, fruit and veggies reduces dementia and Alzheimer’s risk.

There’s no disputing, however, that the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil may be effective for reducing the risk of psychosis.

A 12-week intervention published in Nature Communications detailed how omega-3 supplements substantially reduced the long-term risk of developing psychotic disorders.

And a 2014 study claims epilepsy patients could reduce seizure frequency by consuming low doses of omega-3 fish oil every day.

Scientists have discovered that fish oil can reduce seizure frequency in epilepsy patients — even those who no longer respond to medication.

Carrots may have the reputation as “eye food,” but the DHA in fish oil protects people from age-related vision loss, as noted in the journal Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science.

Dr. Samadi is a board-certified urologic oncologist trained in open and traditional and laparoscopic surgery and is an expert in robotic prostate surgery. He is chairman of urology, chief of robotic surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital. He is a medical correspondent for the Fox News Channel’s Medical A-Team Learn more at roboticoncology.com. Visit Dr. Samadi’s blog at SamadiMD.com. Follow Dr. Samadi on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Eating fatty fish is good for your health
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Dr. David Samadi, MD.

Dr. David Samadi is a Urologic Oncology Expert and Robotic Surgeon who was included in the prestigious Castle Connoly's America’s Top Doctors and New York Magazine’s Best Doctor’s List.

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Dr. David Samadi, MD.

Dr. David Samadi is a Urologic Oncology Expert and Robotic Surgeon who was included in the prestigious Castle Connoly's America’s Top Doctors and New York Magazine’s Best Doctor’s List.