Fatty Fish may Reduce Kidney Cancer Risk
(NaturalNews) More and more research is uncovering the beneficial
qualities of fatty or oily fish as a healthy food. A recent study in
Sweden has added to this databank of knowledge, having found that
Swedish women who consumed such fish at least once every week had a
markedly lower risk of developing kidney cancer, as compared to those
who did not eat fish or who ate lean fish.
Details and Findings of Study
The said study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association,
had run for 15 years and looked at some 61,000 women in the country.
The women were aged 40 to 76 and, among them, 150 developed cancer of
the kidneys. Generally speaking, this disease is more likely to strike
men than women.
The study found that people who ate fish which
contained high levels of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D had a 74%
lower likelihood of getting kidney cancer, as compared to people who did
not eat fish at all. These important nutrients are found in
significantly greater amounts in fatty or oily fish such as herring,
mackerel and salmon. On the other hand, the study also discovered that
leaner fish like cod and tuna did not bring about the same protective
effect against kidney cancer.
Other Health Benefits of Fatty Fish
Other
recent studies have surfaced the health benefits of fatty fish. For
example, a Norwegian study which looked at the fish-eating habits of
over 2,000 elderly persons and their cognitive performance had found
that those who consumed fish scored much better on six different
cognitive tests. This was after other factors which could affect the
results, such as education levels, had been accounted for. It was also
found that, the more fish and fish products eaten, the better the test
scores. Significantly, it was revealed that fatty fish and non-processed
lean fish offered better effects, as compared to other varieties of
fish and fish products.
Another recent study jointly conducted by
the Harvard School of Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital and
Harvard Medical School, as well as Columbia University in New York also
found that eating fish might slow the progression of prostate cancer.
The findings of that study, however, were not specific to fatty or oily
fish.
In addition, the omega-3 essential fatty acids in oily fish
have previously been linked to a host of beneficial properties. They
help regulate blood triglyceride levels, and may help slow the
progression of atherosclerosis. They are also well lauded for their
anti-inflammatory properties, and are thus helpful for inflammatory
conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease.
Further,
such fatty acids are useful in combating high blood pressure and in
boosting immune function. With modern day diets containing excessive
amounts of omega-6 fatty acids, the omega-3's in fatty fish are
essential in achieving optimal balance.
Conclusion
If
you are concerned that "fatty" fish sounds unhealthy, then Alicja Wolk
from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm has some assuring words."The
name fatty fish may frighten some people but this kind of fat is healthy
so I would recommend to eat fatty fish, not lean, because you can get
much more benefits," she said. "Fatty fish per definition has also more
calories but benefits are so overwhelming," she also said.
To end
off, an important note of caution is necessary - most fish today are
very much contaminated with mercury and other chemicals which have
polluted our waters. At the same time, some sources state that eating
farm-raised fish may have negative effects on human health. Thus, when
sourcing fish or fish supplements, it is important to look for high
quality and uncontaminated ones. Otherwise, we may end up doing more
harm than good to our own health.
Sources
Eating fatty fish warded off kidney cancer, study shows (http://www.independent.ie/health/eating-fatty-fish-warded-off-kidney-...)
Two Recent Studies on the Health Benefits of Fish and Fish Products (http://www.naturalnews.com/025253.html)
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