Men are 33% less likely to visit a doctor than women. Our Dads, uncles, brothers, and sons’ health matters, and prevention and care are important, so is living a healthy lifestyle! Choosing a well-balanced diet that includes anti-inflammatory foods, such as seafood, can help to promote health and reduce their risk of chronic disease.
Seafood is like a multivitamin! Here are some of the many nutrients in fish and shellfish that can help maintain and improve men’s health (citations below):
- Magnesium, zinc, and omega-3s EPA and DHA play important roles in healthy nerve and muscle function, immune function, normal heart rhythm, and blood pressure.
- The omega-3s found in fish perform highly unique functions in cells and cell membranes where they reside – helping to manage heart rate, circulation, metabolism, muscle contraction, nerve function, inflammation, body temperature, and more.
- And for more active men, Potassium is an important electrolyte that’s necessary for proper muscle contraction and maintaining fluid balance in the body.
Heart Health and Seafood
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men. Plenty of exercise, good sleep, stress management, and a nutrient-dense diet are all helpful in preventing heart disease. The American Heart Association also recommends eating seafood twice weekly for improved heart health. Especially important are the omega-3 fats found in fish. These fatty acids perform unique functions in cells and cell membranes where they reside – helping to manage heart rate, blood pressure, circulation, metabolism, and muscle contraction. Recent studies show that eating seafood two times a week can even reduce the risk of dying from heart disease by 36%!
Cancer and Seafood
Cancer is also claiming too many of our guys and is the second leading cause of death in men. Over time, we develop chronic low-grade inflammation in our body and this inflammation can help promote the growth of cancer cells. Good news though, choosing a diet rich in seafood can help to reduce that inflammation and lower risk. For this, we can once again thank those helpful omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and seafood. It’s also important to note that excess weight has emerged as an important factor in cancer risk. The good news? Seafood tends to be relatively low in calories, which can help to maintain a healthy weight.
Mood Benefits and Seafood
Men may often think it’s taboo to talk about feelings or emotions, but mental health is an important part of overall wellness. It affects how we think, feel, and act as we cope with life. Studies show people who regularly eat fish are 20 percent less likely than their peers to have depression. In fact, the American Psychiatric Association has endorsed the fatty acids in fish as an effective part of depression treatment. Choose seafood to improve your mood!
Support men’s healt by making sure you and your family eat seafood at least twice a week! Don’t forget, we have plenty of family-friendly recipes on our website.
Citations
- Burkhart SJ, Pelly FE. Dietary Intake of Athletes Seeking Nutrition Advice at a Major International Competition. Nutrients 2016;8(10). E638.
- Volpe SL. Magnesium and the Athlete. Curr Sports Med Rep 2015;14(4):279-283.
- Ochi E, Tsuchiya Y. Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) in Muscle Damage and Function. Nutrients 2018;10(5).pii:E552.
- Sikora-Klak J, et al. The Effect of Abnormal Vitamin D Levels in Athletes. Perm J 2018;22:17-216.
- Gammone MA, et al. Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Benefits and Endpoints in Sport. Nutrients 2018:11: doi: 10.3390/nu11010046.
- Simopoulos AP. Omega-3 fatty acids and athletes. Current Sports Medicine Reports 2007;6:230-236.
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