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 animal 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

Cautions of Chromium

Cautions of Chromium
Active, athletic individuals- people who engage in vigorous aerobic activities and consume higher amount of carbohydrates than the general population – have higher chromium requirements than nonathletes.

Chromium levels start to decrease as we age starting in our early forties.

Some smaller studies have confirmed that added chromium in the diet can reduce total body fat and increase the percentage of muscle.

If you have insulin-dependent diabetes you should not use chromium unless your health care practitioner prescribes it.

Chromium supplements can make insulin function more effectively and, in effect, reduce insulin requirements.

People with diabetes therefore have to monitor their blood sugar levels very carefully when using chromium.

Chromium requirements differ from person to person, consult your health care provider to determine the correct amount of this mineral for you.

Some people experience light-headedness or a slight skin rash when taking chromium. If you feel light-headed, stop taking the supplement and consult you health care provider.

If you develop rash, either try switching brands or discontinue use.
Cautions of Chromium

Sodium

Sodium
The value of salt has been recognized for centuries. The common expressions of “salt of the earth” and even the word “salary” all derive from high value placed upon salt throughout history.

The requirement for sodium is not well defined, but human dietaries generally contain more sodium than necessary.

Tissue formation, as in growth, requires about 1.1 -1.2 mg/kg of tissue gained; the requirement for maintenance should be considerably less.

Intakes vary widely; about 10 gm NaCl/day appears to be usual for most Americans, whereas intakes of 30 – 40 gm/day are not uncommon in Oriental countries where soy sauces and sodium glutamate are flavored as flavoring agents.

The human body contains about 1.8 gm Na/kg at free bodyweight, most of which is present in extracellular fluids.

The content of serum normally is about 140 mEg/liter .

Since sodium is the chief cation of the extracellular fluid, the control of the body fluid osmolarity and therefore body fluid volume is largely dependent on sodium ions and the ratio of sodium to other ions.
Sodium