Significant Role of Fish Nutrients with Special Emphasis to Essential Fatty Acid in Human Nutrition

Abstract

A balanced diet containing all the essential nutrients is necessary to build a good health. Fish in this context, is a healthy food being rich in essential nutrients like quality animal proteins, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) especially the -3 PUFA and micronutrients. According to WHO, “Nutrition is the intake of food, considered in relation to the body‟s dietary needs”. The ultimate goal is to promote optimal health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer as well as to prevent classic nutritional deficiency diseases. Apart from this, fish are more available and affordable than other animal proteins sources in tropical countries. Fish proteins have immunoglobulin that act as defence mechanism against viral and bacterial infections and prevent protein calorie malnutrition. The lipids of fishescontainn-3 PUFA like EPA and DHA that not only maintains the blood pressure but also helpful in preventing the cardiovascular diseases. Iron helps in haemoglobin synthesis and prevents the occurrence of anaemia. Selenium is important for the function of the thyroid gland. Calcium and vitamin D naturally present in fishes prevent the rickets. Vitamin A helps to maintain the normal vision and normal immune system.