Fish Oil: Essential Nutrients

Fish oil is widely recognized as a potent source of essential nutrients, particularly omega-3 fatty acids crucial for human health. Within fish oil, two key components stand out: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). These fatty acids play pivotal roles in various bodily functions and are easily absorbed, making fish oil an invaluable dietary supplement.

It's important to note that EPA and DHA are predominantly sourced from seafood. Contrary to common belief, fish themselves do not produce these fatty acids. Instead, they acquire them through their diet, mainly from single-celled marine organisms. This highlights the significance of marine ecosystems in providing essential nutrients for both fish and humans.

Numerous studies corroborate the health benefits of consuming adequate amounts of DHA and EPA. For individuals with cardiovascular disease, incorporating fish or fish oil supplements into their diet can yield remarkable results. These benefits include reduced triglyceride levels, lowered risk of heart attacks, strokes, and abnormal heart rhythms, as well as the slowing down of atherosclerosis, commonly known as "hardening of the arteries." Additionally, there's evidence suggesting a modest decrease in blood pressure with regular consumption of these fatty acids.

The correlation between the concentration of EPA and DHA and the "oiliness" of fish underscores the importance of dietary choices. Oily fish varieties such as tuna, sardines, salmon, mackerel, and herring boast higher levels of these beneficial fatty acids, making them ideal additions to a heart-healthy diet.

Moreover, advancements in biotechnology have led to the discovery of fungal and algal sources of DHA, which have been harnessed for commercial purposes, particularly in the infant formula industry. This innovation not only expands the accessibility of DHA but also offers a sustainable alternative to traditional fish-derived supplements.

In conclusion, fish oil stands as a powerhouse of essential nutrients, particularly DHA and EPA, with profound implications for human health. Incorporating fish or fish oil supplements into one's diet can mitigate cardiovascular risks and promote overall well-being, underscoring the vital role of marine-derived nutrients in human nutrition.
Fish Oil: Essential Nutrients

Fish of Halibut species

A flat saltwater fish found in all oceans that is one of the most important food fishes. Species of the genus Hippoglossus are:
*Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus – lives in the North Atlantic
*Pacific halibut, Hippoglossus stenolepis – lives in the North Pacific

The Pacific halibut is a subspecies of the Atlantic relative and is found in the North Pacific Ocean from the Bering Sea and Alaska to the Sea of Okhotsk and the California coast.

Both are in the same Pleuronectidae family as other flatfish like flounder, reached popularity in the nineteenth century, when the size of the individuals sometimes reached heoric proportions of six hundred pounds.

This fish can reach lengths up to 7.5 feet (2.3 meters). In rare cases, halibut grow to be giants. In 1884, near Hammerfest, Norway, a halibut weighting 528 pounds was caught. The largest halibut ever recorded was 15.4 feet (4.7 meters)  and weighed 726 pounds (330 kilograms).

Halibut has a firm, sometimes dark flesh; large, easy-to-find bones; and a meaty texture when cooked. Because the individual fish were so large, halibut was almost always sold as steaks, which can be fried or baked.

Halibut is an excellent source of protein, potassium, selenium, and vitamin B12. In addition, it is a very good source of vitamin B6, niacin and phosphorus. Halibut liver oil is an excellent source of vitamin A and vitamin D and is a primary commercial source if these vitamins.
Fish of Halibut species 

Nutritional information of oysters

Oyster is a saltwater shellfish belonging it the family of bivalve mollusks. Fresh oysters are traditionally eaten raw with lemon juice or sauce.

Oysters are good food and they rank with salmon, broccoli and blueberries as nutritional superstars.

Oysters canned in oil contain more calories than fresh oysters. Oysters are an excellent source of zinc, though different varieties contain differing amounts.

Oysters also a good source of magnesium, with a affair amount of omega 3’s. Studies indicate that an oysters-rich diet may lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Oysters are predominantly protein. They have a bit of fat, and most of that is unsaturated. They also have a few carbs, in the form of glycogen, the starch that makes them sweet.
Nutritional information of oysters

Nutrient in seafood

Seafood is a food source comparable to other animal protein foods in nutrient composition. Because of its nutrients denseness, seafood can help the dietary needs for calcium, essential fats, iodine and protein.

In addition, seafood is an important contributor of selenium to the American diet and is unique among animal protein foods as a rich source or omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.

Salmon and sardines, in particular are good sources of moega-3 essential fatty acids, while halibut is a great source of protein.

It is evident that fish contributes more to people’s diet than just the high quality protein they are known for.

The forms of lipid in fish are triglycerides or triacylglycerols. Triglycerides in pelagic fish contain the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid EPA (eicosapentoic acid) and DHA (docosahexanoic acid), which have many health benefits including normal development of the brain and retina in infants and prevention of heart disease in adults.

Research has linked fish consumption with many health benefits, including a lowered risk for arthritis, heart attacks, high blood pressure, prostate cancer in men and strokes.

The WHO/FAO in 2003 recommendation on the consumption of fish is that “regular fish consumption (1-2 servings per week) is protective against coronary heart diseases and ischemic stroke and is recommended. The serving should provide an equivalent of 200-500 mg of EPA and DHA.”
Nutrient in seafood

Benefits Associated with Nutrients from Seafood

Benefits Associated with Nutrients from Seafood
The high nutritional quality of seafood makes it an important component of a healthy diet.

While protein is an important macronutrient in the diet, most American already consumes enough and do not need to increase their intake.

Fats and oil are also part of a healthy diet, but the type and amount of fat can be important - for example, with regard to cardiovascular disease.

Many Americans consume greater than recommended amounts of saturated fat as well as cholesterol from high-fat protein foods such as beef and pork.

Many seafood selections are lower in total and saturated fats and cholesterol than some more frequently selected anima protein foods such as fatty cuts of beef, pork and poultry and are equivalent in amount of fat to some leaner cuts of meat.

Since it is lower in saturated fats however by substituting seafood more often for other animal foods, consumers can decrease their overall intake of both total and saturated fats while retaining the nutritional quality of their protein food choices.

Seafood is also a primary source of EPA and DHA in the American diet.

The contribution of the nutrients to improving health and reducing risk for certain chronic disease in adult has not been completely elucidated.

There is evidence however, to suggest there are benefits to the developing infants such as increasing length of gestation, improved visual acuity and improve cognitive development.

In addition, there is evidence to support an overall benefit to the general population for reduced risk of heart disease among those who eat seafood compared to those who do not, and there may be benefits from consuming EPA and DHA for adults at risk for coronary heart disease.
Benefits Associated with Nutrients from Seafood