 Good nutrition is important at any age. Eating the right food can help you to stay healthy, energetic and may help to prevent some diseases. You may be eating less now than you did when you were younger but you still need the same amount of nutrients. For this reason, it is important to make sure you eat a wide variety of foods and enjoy a balanced diet. |
How can fish help?
Fish is a rich source of protein and many of the vitamins and minerals that you need for good health. Fish also has many other benefits including helping to protect against heart disease and a range of other illnesses.
Fish is also a source of Zinc, which is needed for a healthy immune system, Iodine, needed for healthy metabolism and vitamins A and B12.
Omega 3 fats
Oil rich fish are an important source of omega 3 fats. Your body cannot make these special fats so you need to eat foods containing omega 3 everyday. Omega 3 fats help to protect the body from heart disease and may play a role in helping to prevent other diseases such as Alzheimer’s and some types of cancers. Oil-rich fish is one of the few foods to provide omega 3 fats and it is a source of two of the most important types of omega 3 – EPA and DHA. Omega 3 fats can be found in small amounts in some other foods but the body has trouble turning these fats into the EPA and DHA that it needs. It is recommended that we eat oil rich fish at least once a week to make sure we get enough omega 3.
Omega 3 and heart disease
Omega 3 fats are strongly associated with protection against heart disease, such as high blood cholesterol or raised Triglycerides levels and people already diagnosed with heart disease.
One study showed a 52% lower risk of heart attack when people ate fish at least once a week.
Omega 3 and arthritis
For years people have taken fish oils to help relieve the symptoms of arthritis. Some rheumatoid arthritis suffers find some relief when they include more omega 3 fats in their diet or take them as supplements. Other research suggests that including omega 3 fats in your diet may help to prevent osteoarthritis (where cartilage in the joints has worn down) by protecting the cartilage but more research is needed.
