Shellfish and Your Diet

A low fat diet is so important and over the past twenty years researchers have acknowledged the importance of shellfish to a nutritious diet. Shellfish such as oysters, clams, scallops, lobster, mussels, crabs, prawns etc. are full of many different vitamins and minerals and they are also low in the amount of fat they contain. Shellfish and a variety of other types of fish are full of omega-3 polyunsaturated acids, which are not produced by the human body but instead must be consumed by way of dietary sources.

The vitamins and minerals contained in shellfish vary from one type of fish to another. Oysters are full of vitamin A, which is necessary for both the growth as well as the repair of tissues throughout the body. Vitamin A is necessary for good eyesight as well as the immune system, not to mention the development and stability level of cells and the membranes of the body including the teeth and the bones. Vitamin A helps to facilitate the creation of blood cells.

Oysters, crab, lobster, shrimp, and prawns are full of vitamin B1, which is an essential for the digestion of carbohydrates and is an integral part of the workings of the nervous system. In turn oysters, crab, prawns, shrimp, lobster and mussels contain vitamin B2, which is responsible for the health and well being of both the eyes and the skin and also works to help energy be dispelled to the cells of the body.

Oysters, crawfish, abalone and cuttlefish are rich in vitamin B3 that is needed for the production of enzymes and is necessary for the development of red blood cells. Vitamin B3 is also responsible for helping keep skin healthy as well as the tongue and the tissues that line the digestive tract. Vitamin B3 is also needed for the syntheses of hormones such as insulin, cortisone and thyroxin.

Vitamin B6 can be found in a variety of shellfish such as crab, shrimp, squid, oyster, mussels, lobster, cuttlefish and prawns. Vitamin B6 is essential for the formation of red blood cells. As well vitamin B6 plays an integral role in the digestion of carbohydrates in the body as well as proteins and fats.

Vitamin B12 is plentiful in shellfish such as oysters, clams, cockles, shrimp, crawfish, squid, shrimp, prawns, mussels, cuttlefish and lobster. Vitamin B12 builds up the immune system to fight infections and it aids in the production of red blood cells. Vitamin B12 is necessary to help support the functioning of the central nervous system. Vitamin B12 is also a necessary part of the digestive process for fats as well as carbohydrates.

Vitamin D can be found in oysters and is important in order to have healthy, strong teeth as well as bones. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium fro the bones and teeth. Vitamin E is also instrumental to the health of an individual and can be found in oysters, squid, prawns, lobster and mussels. Vitamin E is necessary for the formation of both muscles and red blood cells as well as the usage of both. Vitamin E is also effective at desecrating the build up of cholesterol in the blood vessels.