by Ashleigh Feltham
Accredited Practising Dietitian and Accredited Nutritionist
The matrix of health benefits in seafood is immense. One role you may not have considered is the role of omega 3 fat in absorbing your fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. If you eat a meal or snack without fat, then these fat-soluble vitamins cannot be absorbed properly by your body. It is important to know that not all fat is the same and throwing butter onto every meal is not the smart choice for optimal health.
Selecting healthy fats like omega 3 fats which are essential fats for your body, you are giving it the type of fat it needs to function. Taking supplements to provide this fat is not as effective or health-promoting as getting this source of fat from food. The form of this fat that your body absorbs most easily is from seafood. Fatty fish like salmon, trout and sardines contain more omega 3 fat which is key to assisting your body to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins.
You may be wondering why it is important to have these vitamins in your body. Here are the roles each of these vitamins play:
Vitamin A
This vitamin plays a key role in optimising your immune function, vision, reproduction capacity, hair, and overall growth.
Vitamin D
This fat-soluble vitamin plays a key role in bone health as it allows calcium to be absorbed properly in your body. It also helps to keep your immune system working well.
Vitamin E
This vitamin acts like an antioxidant that helps to fight off free radicals. Free radicals can cause damage and disease to the cells of your body. It can also play a role in preventing blood clots.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K helps your blood to form blood clots as it should normally, such as when you cut yourself. It also helps to create strong bones.
Good news for lovers of Safcol Seafood because fish like salmon, sardines, trout, and tuna as well as oysters and mussels are sources of vitamins A, D and E. This means that by adding these to your diet you are automatically providing the key to be able to unlock the health benefits of these vitamins in your body.
Take home message
Give fat-soluble vitamins the best chance in your body by eating an essential fat provided in the correct form like it is in seafood.
Omega 3 fat is key
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