Tuna source of Omega 3 fatty acid for healthy lifestyle

They are elongated, robust and streamlined fish; they have a rounded body that tapers to a slender tail base and a forked or crescent-shaped tail.

In colour, tuna is generally dark above and silvery below often with an iridescent shine, locally it is called awawaye.

In 2021, vessels caught over 25,200 metric tons of tuna compared to 26,533 metric tons in 2020.

In 2019, they caught 26,160 metric tons and 24,863 metric tons in 2018.
Ghana’s tuna sector generates over $350 million annually.

The sector is a major part of Ghana’s economy, providing employment, revenue and foreign exchange earnings.

Tuna is nutritious seafood that has many health benefits.

It has Omega 3, which is a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) with abundant health benefits.

It is an essential nutrient crucial for the proper functioning of the cerebral vascular and cardiovascular and growth development systems.

Omega 3 is rich in foods such as marine fish, walnuts, soybeans and seeds such as flax seed oil and canola oil.

It also has fatty acids, which are molecules consisting of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen atoms.

Carbon atoms form their linear backbones, with oxygen and hydrogen atoms latching onto the carbon backbone by chemical bonding with carbon atoms.

Two

There are two types of fatty acids: Saturated fats, considered bad or unhealthy since they raise the risk of developing heart disease and stroke.

Unsaturated fats are further classified as polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, depending on the number of unsaturated double bonds in the carbon backbones.

Omega 3 and fatty acids are classified thus; EPA (Elicosatetraenoic acid) Omega 3 as found in tuna, EPA fatty acids aid in lowering blood pressure triglyceride levels.

Preventing clogging of blood vessels and platelet aggregation, which are all risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

In addition, it helps relieve osteoarthritis, as well as rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.

DHA (Docosahexaanoic Acid) Omega 3 found in tuna DHA fatty acids play a vital role in brain and eye development and help to strengthen and prevent deterioration of the brain, learning and memory, as well as helping the visual system work efficiently. It is essential for the cardiovascular system as well.

ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) is a plant source of Omega 3 fatty acids. The body can convert a small amount of dietary ALA into EPA and DHA. However, this process yields a minuscule amount of EPA and DHA, insufficient to meet daily needs.

Therefore, dietary sources of EPA and DHA such as tuna are essential.

Benefits
They prevent cardiovascular disease and ischemic stroke; several studies have found the health benefits of Omega 3 and fatty acids concerning cardiovascular disease and inhibition of platelet aggregation.

They also prevent Coronary Artery Disease (CAD); lower blood pressure; aid in blood vessel dilation and prevent blood vessel clogging, lower blood pressure, relieve rheumatoid arthritis; improve brain cell function and prevent Alzheimer’s disease; fatty acids and Omega 3 in tuna oil nourish the brain and improve memory.

Adults can eat six to nine ounces of tuna per week.

According to him, tuna also contains calcium, which supports healthy bones and muscle contractions; magnesium, which is required for energy and vitamin D, which supports the immune system, bone strength and brain function. It is good for people in the A blood group.

The writer is a medical/science communicator
E-mail: mustysallama@gmail.com