Now I’m a big fan of fish. Not only do I think it tastes good, but couple that with the health benefits and its really just a smart, tasty choice for lunch or dinner. Fish for breakfast, I’m not so sure about.
There’s now another benefit that can be added on to consuming our friends from the sea. A article in today’s New Haven Register entitled “Fish May be Defense Against Skin Cancer” suggests that fish can also help to prevent skin cancer.
The article talks about a recent study, whose findings were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, that examined the effects of eating fish on the occurrence of actinic keratoses. AK’s, as their more commonly know, are those rough red patches that can pop up on skin as we age and are especially prevalent in skin that’s been damaged by the sun’s rays. More than 50% of invasive squamous skin cancers start out as simple AK’s. That means that by preventing the appearance of AK’s, you can thus reduce your risk of possibly developing skin cancer.
This study was conducted in Australia and examined the diets of over 1,100 adults over a 4 year period. The individuals participating in the study were examined for AK’s at the beginning and again at the end of the monitoring period. They found that over that period there was a 28% reduction in the appearance of AK’s among the people that ate fish the most compared to the people that ate it the least. The study as well found that the types of fish that provided the most benefit were the more oily fish such as salmon.
This study also found that drinking red wine in moderation reduced the appearance of AK”s as well. This backs up a different Italian study we reported about here that also found a link between moderate wine consumption and a reduction of cancer.
Of course the best way to avoid skin cancer is always going to be to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays by wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and staying out of that brutal midday sun, but these types of studies show us other factors that can at least help out a little bit.
So the next time your thinking about what to have for dinner, why not give some consideration to a glass of wine and that a wonderful piece of grilled salmon. Not only will you be eating healthy and tasty, but your also be doing a little bit to prevent skin cancer. Every little bit helps.
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