Health Benefits of Seafood
Seafood is a nutrient rich food that makes a positive contribution to a healthful diet. It is a good source of protein, and relative to other protein foods, e.g., meat, poultry, and eggs, is generally lower in saturated fatty acids and higher in the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA as well as selenium.
The evidence to support benefits to pregnancy outcome in females who consumes seafood or fish-oil supplements as part of their diet during pregnancy is derived largely from observational studies.
The studies have also shown an association between increased duration of gestation and intake of seafood or fish-oil supplements. Evidence that the infants and children of mothers who consume seafood or EPA/DHA supplements during pregnancy and/or lactation may have improved developmental outcomes is also supported largely by observational studies.
Observational evidence suggests that increased seafood consumption is associated with a decreased rick of cardiovascular death and cardiovascular events in the general population.
Evidence is inconsistent for protection against further cardiovascular events in individuals with a history of myocardial infarction from consumption of EPA/DHA-containing seafood or fish-oil supplements. The protection evidenced by population (observational) studies has not been consistently observed in randomized clinical trials.
Evidence for a benefit associated with seafood consumption or fish-oil supplements on blood pressure, stroke, cancer, asthma, type II diabetes, or Alzheimer’s disease is inconclusive. Whereas observational studies have suggested a protective role of EPA/DHA for each of these diseases, supportive evidence form randomized clinical trials is either nonexistent or inconclusive.
The Primary Findings the Health Benefits of Seafood
