Living Longer is a Fishy Business

The most powerful nutrient that improves your health and add years to your life is just around the cormer. Fish. Located at almost any supermarket in the whole world. Sure, fish is pretty good to people who love it, but to other people its just not a food that you can eat everyday like a snack. It stinks sometimes before and other times after you cook it. Let's just face it, it's not close to delicious as McDonalds.

There are three types of fatty acids found in seafood: eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaeonic acid, and alpha-linolenic acid known as EPA, DHA, and ALA. EPA and DHA, the omega three fatty acids that are most easily used by your body, are found in significant amounts only in marine life, especially cold-water fish. But ALA is obtained from plant-delivered foods, like flaxseed, canola oil, soybeans, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts.

What is it about fish? Scientists believe that it is nothing but fat. Nutritionists usually recommend that you avoid the fat in beef and pork, but stick to the fat in fish that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids you need to live. The benefits of fish is very rewarding. Prevention of the heart disease isn't the only benefit EPA and DHA offer. When Harvard University researchers tracked 47,882 men for 12 years, they found that those who ate fish three times a week had a 25 percent lower risk of developing deadly prostate cancer than those who consumed fish less than twice a month. Regular EPA and DHA consumption can also lower the risk of colon cancer, stroke, asthma, and arthritis.

There's evidence that these omega-3 fats can help your brain just as well as your body. According to a 2005 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services analysis that reviewed about 500 studies, high EPA and DHA consumption may help get rid of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. A Finnish study of 3,200 men and women found that those who ate fish less than once a week were 31 percent more likely to be depressed than those who ate it at least wtice a week.

The American Heart Association recommends just two or three servings of fatty fish per week; a serving as to 3 to 4 ounces, an amount that provides a total of about 3 grams of EPA and DHA to get most of the health benefits. It's the easiest thing anyone can do. Hamburgers are food, french fries are food, and so is fish. You could meet your weekly quota by habing a can of tuna for lunch on Monday, lox at breakfast on Thursday, and a seafood restaurant with freinds or family on Saturday.

The science is strong: Incorporate more EPH and DHA in your diet and you improve your chances of living a longer, more productive life. Also, just imagine the possibilities if you started eating your vegetables too. You might live to see flying cars.