Author: Nia Rouseberg
Time for reading: ~2
minutes
Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
The risk of metabolic disorders is lower in those who consume fish and seafood more often ...
Results from a new study show that regular consumption of fish and seafood rich in omega fatty acids reduces the risk of developing metabolic syndrome in men.
To prove their hypothesis, Korean scientists from the University of Ansan analyzed the results of a large-scale study conducted among volunteers from South Korea. The study involved more than 3,500 men and women between the ages of 40 and 70.
All volunteers were in good health and did not suffer from chronic diseases. For four years, study participants kept food diaries in which they recorded the features and changes in their diet, as well as the type and frequency of food consumed. During the study period, 602 of the volunteers developed metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome is a disease state in which a person has simultaneous abdominal obesity, high levels of triglycerides and / or low levels of the so-called. "Good cholesterol", high blood pressure and high blood sugar or diabetes.
People with metabolic syndrome are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
It is estimated that 25% of the world's adult population has a metabolic syndrome.
The metabolic syndrome is diagnosed by the following components:
The researchers analyzed the eating habits and preferences of the volunteers and found that the risk of metabolic disorders was lower in those who ate fish and seafood more often.
Participants who took omega fatty acids in the form of dietary supplements were also less at risk of metabolic syndrome.
Interestingly, the risk of metabolic disorders was lower only in men who took fatty acids, but this dependence was not observed in women.
According to the authors of the study, this is because women generally consume less and smaller portions of fish.
The positive effect of fish dishes on metabolism is related to the effect that triglycerides and high-density lipoproteins have on fat metabolism in the body, said Dr. Chol Shin - project manager.
And although the mechanism of this process is not yet fully understood, scientists recommend more frequent consumption of fish or intake of omega fatty acids by both sexes.
The results of the study by Korean scientists were published in the July issue of J Am Diet Assoc 2010 .