Maximize Your Nutrients From Fish Consumption

How long can fish be stored in the refrigerator before cooking? How often do we have to eat fish to get the health benefits? Better fresh fish or frozen fish? The answer to these questions can help you maximize your nutrients from fish consumption.

How to make sure the fish is fresh?
Fresh fish usually have a fresh scent of the sea, and not too smelly fish. Too sharp aroma can show the presence of disease-causing bacteria.

How long can keep fish fresh?
Fish should be cooked immediately as soon as it is purchased. But to extend its durability, you can store it in the coldest part of the refrigerator (usually in the middle). Nutrition of fish (such as vitamin D, protein, and heart-healthy fatty acid) can be optimally maintained over 48 hours. The flavor is going to fade after that, and if the fish are gone bad is better not to eat. Well, if you do not intend to directly cook it, are better kept in the freezer.

Better fresh fish or frozen fish?
Now this can be immediately frozen fish so captured and loaded into ships. Thus, between the fresh and frozen actually have the same nutrients. In fact, the texture and the taste is still the same. It does not matter if you buy frozen fish fillets in the freezer section at the supermarket. Just make sure the expiration date, and do not wait to cook until the expiry date. You better cook it immediately after buying direct. You need to avoid is to buy fish products that have been processed, which has been coated with sauce and crumbs of whatever high calorie.

How often should eat fish to get the benefits?
Apparently, you do not need to eat every day to get the nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids are good for heart health. Enough consumption twice a week. However, the healthy benefits of fish does not immediately visible. Health experts even say that the benefits will be felt after we eat them constantly for years.

Are all fish contain healthy fats?
Yes, but each has a different amount. Salmon fish oil containing high amounts, whereas herring, sardines, and anchovies are other examples. The key is to balance the benefits of fish which contain dangerous mercury. For example, tuna may be rich in omega-3 fish oil, but fish also contain more mercury. In order not exposed to mercury, you should limit consumption of these fish no more than twice a week.

Why should alert with mercury?
Mercury is a pollutant that has been shown to cause damage to the nervous system. Therefore, the Food and Drugs Administration (food and drug regulatory agency America) recommends to avoid some types of fish such as shark, swordfish, mackerel America (king mackerel), and tilefish. All four are large fish that prey on other smaller fish. Pregnant women, children under the age of 12 years, and people who have a problem with the immune system (such as lupus, chronic arthritis, or cancer) should not consume these fish species.

Is fish oil supplements can replace the consumption of fresh fish?
There is no supplement can beat any health benefits of real food. Similarly, fish oil, because it does not offer other nutrients such as vitamin D and protein that you can get from eating fresh fish. But if you do not like fish, fish oil capsules could be an alternative. Consult your doctor about the dosage and frequency. In addition, select the most appropriate type of supplement. Usually you are advised to consume 500 to 1000 mg of the active components of fish oil (EPA and DHA fatty acids), rather than the total amount of fat.