6 HEALTH BENEFITS OF EATING SEAFOOD

Diet and nutrition play a vital role in helping seniors maintain robust health. At our senior living center in Everett, Washington, we have certified dieticians and nutritionists on staff to ensure our residents follow diets that enrich the heart, bones, and muscles. One of the key components of a healthy diet is consuming enough seafood, such as fish, shrimp, and oysters.

It is not just the menus our chefs create that help our residents maintain robust health. We also encourage our residents to incorporate seafood into the dishes they create at our assisted living facility in Arlington.

Let’s review the six health benefits of eating seafood.

Rich Source of Essential Vitamins and Minerals

Seafood contains plenty of protein, while not containing much saturated fats. Calcium is one of the most important nutrients found in seafood, as it is directly related to the development of healthy bone mass. Seafood also is an abundant source of omega-3 fatty acids. Consuming enough seafood can make it unnecessary for seniors to take vitamin supplements.

Better Eyesight

One of the most common health issues that arise for seniors is losing eyesight. Fortunately, the nutrients found in seafood can help stave off age-related vision loss. Omega-3 fatty acids also reduce the risk of developing eye diseases. Sufficient levels of vitamin A in your diet that comes from seafood can prevent the development of night blindness, which makes it difficult to drive a car.

Healthier Heart

The high level of omega-3 fatty acids found in seafood such as salmon helps seniors maintain healthy hearts. Consuming a seafood dish twice a week can enhance heart health while at the same time decreasing the risk of suffering from a stroke and/or heart attack. A diet that includes seafood combined with a regular exercise routine is the right recipe for combating heart disease.

More Brain Power

Omega-3 fatty acids found in certain types of seafood are effective at boosting memory, especially short-term memory. Since our assisted living facility in Lynnwood includes a memory care unit, our caregivers emphasize the importance of making seafood part of the diet of our residents to prevent memory loss. The nutrients delivered by seafood also help your brain regulate emotions.

Mitigate Joint Pain

Many seniors suffer from joint pain, especially when they try to get out of bed after sleeping. If you suffer from joint pain, the solution to easing joint pain might be adding seafood to your diet. Seafood like tuna and other types of saltwater fish have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. Consuming fatty fish can decrease the severity of joint stiffness, as well as fend off the symptoms of arthritis.

Healthier Skin and Hair

If you suffer from dry skin, which can develop for seniors during the drier, warmer months of the year in Seattle, consider consuming seafood rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Fatty fish release an enzyme that preserves the skin’s moisture. The result should be shinier hair and skin. Skin health benefits also include the prevention of acne growth.

Most seafood recipes take fewer than 15 minutes to complete. Even if you cook a more elaborate seafood meal, the time spent preparing and cooking it is well worth the trouble because of the six health benefits of eating seafood. At MorningStar at Silver Lake, our culinary team makes seafood an integral part of the dishes made for our residents. We also make health education on topics like diet and nutrition an integral part of the living environment at our senior living center in Everett, WA.