Nutrients in fish and possible associations with cardiovascular disease risk factors in metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Non-communicable diseases (NSDs) are responsible for two-thirds of all deaths globally, whereas cardiovascular disease (CVD) alone counts for nearly half of them. To reduce the impact of CVD, targeting modifiable risk factors comprised in metabolic syndrome (e.g., waist circumference, lipid profile, blood pressure, and blood glucose) is of great importance. Beneficial effects of fish consumption on CVD has been revealed over the past decades, and some studies suggest that fish consumptionmayhaveaprotectiveroleinpreventingmetabolicsyndrome. Fishcontainsavarietyof nutrients that may contribute to health benefits. This review examines current recommendations for fish intake as a source of various nutrients (proteins, n-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, iodine, selenium, and taurine),andtheireffectsonmetabolicsyndromeandtheCVDriskfactors. Fattyfishisrecommended duetoitshighlevelsofn-3fattyacids,howeverleanfishalsocontainsnutrientsthatmaybebeneficial in the prevention of CVD.