A recent study carried out by the University of Eastern Finland found that increasing the intake of fatty fish has health benefits, increasing the number of large HDL particles which boost good cholesterol levels.
According to the study, people who increased their intake of fish to a minimum of three to four weekly meals had more large HDL particles in their blood than people who are less frequent eaters of fish. These large HDL particles are believed to protect against cardiovascular diseases.
The consumption of fish has long been known to be beneficial to health, but the way fats and other useful nutrients found in fish work in the human body are not fully known.
The aim of this new study is to provide more information on how the consumption of fish affects the size and lipid concentrations of lipoproteins which transport lipids in the blood.
Positive changes in lipid metabolism were found in people who increased their intake of fish the most. The study participants are fatty fish such as salmon, rainbow trout, herring and vendace.
Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland say a dietary approach to the treatment of increased overall LDL, or ‘bad’, cholesterol levels is important.
Maria Lankinen, postdoctoral researcher, said: "People shouldn't fool themselves into thinking that if their standard lipid levels are OK, there's no need to think about the diet, as things are a lot more complicated than that. Soft vegetable fats and fish are something to prefer in any case.”
The findings are well in line with the Finnish nutrition recommendations encouraging people to reduce the consumption of red meat and to increase the consumption of fish and other seafoods.
