Fish are nutritious, delicious, and their nutritional value exceeds that of other meats, offering various health benefits. According to Dr. Zhu Zibing from the Cadre Outpatient Clinic of the 254th Hospital of the PLA, fish not only contain abundant protein, essential vitamins, and trace elements for the human body, but also various unsaturated fatty acids, especially in high quantities in marine fish. These can prevent cholesterol from depositing on blood vessel walls. Regular consumption of fish is highly beneficial for preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases.
Unsaturated fatty acids also influence the formation of cephalin. Cephalin is one of the vital substances for maintaining the normal function of brain nerve cells. Therefore, adolescents and the elderly should consume more fish. For children, it can enhance memory and improve learning efficiency. For the elderly, it can improve brain function and prevent senile dementia. Although eating fish is healthy for most people, there are certain individuals who should avoid it.
1. Gout: Fish, shrimp, and shellfish contain high levels of purines. Therefore, patients with gout should avoid sardines, anchovies, shrimp, roe, shellfish, and crab roe to prevent acute gout attacks.
2. Bleeding disorders: Such as hemophilia. Individuals with thrombocytopenia or vitamin K deficiency should eat little or no fish. This is because fish contains substances that inhibit platelet aggregation, which can easily cause bleeding to stop or worsen bleeding symptoms in patients with bleeding disorders.
3. Patients with advanced cirrhosis: They often have impaired liver function and reduced production of clotting factors, leading to a tendency to bleed. They should eat less sardines, mackerel, and tuna. Carp and flounder can be consumed in moderation.
4. Tuberculosis patients taking isoniazid: Consuming certain fish while taking isoniazid can easily cause allergic reactions. Mild reactions include nausea, headache, skin flushing, and conjunctival congestion. Severe reactions may involve palpitations, numbness and swelling of the lips and face, rash, diarrhea, abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, elevated blood pressure, and even hypertensive crisis and cerebral hemorrhage.
5. Individuals who are inherently allergic: Should be especially cautious when eating fish.