Cook Fish Right for Heart Health May 11, 2006—Good scientific
evidence has shown that eating fish can help prevent heart
disease—the leading cause of death in the United States.
However, new research suggests that the way fish is prepared
affects its benefit, and that eating broiled or baked fish can
help keep the heart strong, while eating fried fish might make
it less healthy. Known steps for preventing heart disease
include maintaining normal body weight, blood pressure, and
cholesterol levels; exercising regularly; and eating a low-fat,
low-sugar diet consisting mainly of whole foods. The omega-3
fatty acids in fish may also reduce the risk of heart disease in
a number of different ways. Fish oil prevents blood platelets
from clumping excessively, thins the blood, lowers triglyceride
levels, and helps keep the heart rhythm regular. However, fried
fish may not provide the same benefits. “Fried fish meals are
commonly breaded fish from fast food restaurants or the grocery
frozen section, often lower in omeg