ere's a solution to beat the risk of heart attack, strokes, mental decline in old age and prostate cancer!
One word: fish.
A few more words: eat fish regularly!
The Harvard Men's Health Watch says the Omega-3 fatty acids found in oily, dark-fleshed fish offer genuine health benefits.
The reason why Omega-3s are healthy is, they do not convert to fat, explains dietician Bijal Goradia, adding, that acids present in red meat are convert to fat.
Omega-3 fatty acids are also therapeutic. They help keep your blood from clotting excessively; lower the amount of fats, like cholesterol, in the bloodstream; and reduce the risk of obesity.
Fish oil is an important source of omega-3s, but the Health Watch points out that eating fish provides other important nutrients like selenium, antioxidants and protein.
People who eat fish and cut down on meat and cheese could add other healthy food like vegetables and brown rice to their diet.
A word of caution: live fishes may absorb contaminants found in the waters. Methyl mercury and PolyChlorinated Biphenyls that fish absorb by fishes may cause harm.
Research says that pregnant women and children should limit their intake of high-mercury species like swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish, among others. Farmed fish like salmon have little mercury, but they may have PCBs.
Health Watch recommends peeling the skin and fat of the fish before cooking to minimise harm. They also suggest limiting the consumption of farmed and wild salmon.
But fish is not the only source of Omega-3 fatty acids. Bijal says any food containing the Omega-3 fatty acids is good for health.
Here are some examples for our vegetarian readers:
- Whole grains, like wholewheat and wheatgerm
- Sprouts
- Flaxseed
- Raw tofu
- Cooked soyabean
- Walnuts
- Leafy green vegetables, like spinach
- Legumes
With inputs from ANI
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