Salmon is a source of essential omega 3 fatty acids
This weeks superfood feature focuses on fish, salmon to be specific.
All fish are good sources of good-quality protein, vitamins and minerals, but oily fish such as salmon also contains omega 3 fats which reduce blood clotting and inflammation.
Studies show that eating oily fish dramatically reduces the risk of having a heart attack.
Omega 3 fats also help to prevent depression, and protect against the onset of dementia.
Dr Carrie Ruxton helped us to understand just how essential these fatty acids are for us:
Omega 3s are required across the whole life cycle, beginning in the womb and continuing through to old age. They are essential for all the cells in the body, particularly those in the brain, retina, nervous system, immune system and circulation.
Research shows that two out of three people in the UK - the majority adults - do not eat the two portions of fish a week recommended by the Food Standards Agency, either because it doesn't fit in with their lifestyle or simple because they don't like fish, especially oily fish.
The statistics for young people are even worse. Amongst those aged 19 to 24 years old, only 13 per cent of women and 3 per cent of men eat oily fish.
New research has also indicated that omega 3 essential fatty acids were found to play an especially important role in combating joint pain and mobility problems.
Joint problems frequently make everyday life difficult and common tasks impossible. There are many treatments, but chossing the best ones can be hard. Some drugs carry the potential risk of side effects while natural options may have sketchy or incomplete evidence supporting their use, causing confusion and uncertainty amongst sufferers.
Dr Gill Jenkins, a member of the Joint Ageing Information Service Panel and practising GP says: "The review shows that omega 3 essential fatty acids can help to maintain a balance os anti-inflammatory components in all tissues including the joints. Given that the UK population does not meet the guidance for omega 3 intkae, food supplements, like Regenovex, which contain these fatty acids from marine sources such as green lipped mussels can be useful for patients concerned for about their joints."
Not only do omega 3 fatty acids help to protect your joints, they've also been found to be very beneficial to the following; heart health, immune function, mental and cognitive health and cancer.
A huge percentage of the population is missing out on vital omega-3s for health. Fish oil supplements can provide a valuable way of bridging the nutritional gap for those people; whose diets may be lacking in the essential nutrients provided by fish, including those whose intakes are erratic.
Femalefirst Taryn Davies
Tagged in Diet Super Food