Shrimp are a crustacean, but unlike their close
cousins the lobster and the crab they do not crawl, they swim. They use the
swimmerets on their abdomen to swim forward and their tails to swim backwards.
Shrimp are a wonderful alternative to meat proteins, both low in calories and
saturated fat.
Although small in stature, shrimp are anything
but small when it comes to nutrition. 4 ounces of shrimp at only 112 calories
are a great source of tryptophan, protein, selenium, vitamin B12, omega 3 fatty
acid, vitamin D, iron, vitamin B3, zinc, copper and magnesium.
Many people are confused about the fat and
cholesterol content of shrimp. Shrimp are very low in fat but somewhat high in
cholesterol. However, studies have shown that a diet of shrimp raised LDL (bad
cholesterol) by 7 % and HDL (good cholesterol) by 12%. An egg diet raised LDL
by 10% and HDL by 7 %. Further shrimp lowered triglycerides (a form in which
fat is carried to the blood) by 13%. It appears that the good outweighs the
bad.
But can these little crustacean really make us
happy? Well, they taste good, they’re low in fat, low in calories and can be
added to a variety of dishes. That should make us happy. But little as they
are, they are so much more.
Nutritional Science tells us that certain
things in the diet can be good for treating mild forms of depression. Vitamin
D, vitamin B12, B3 (niacin), omega3 fish oils, zinc and magnesium are all good
for supporting mental health and lifting mild forms of depression.
What do we find in shrimp? We get; vitamin D,
vitamin B12, vitamin B3, zinc, omega3 fish oils, zinc and magnesium. Ounce for
ounce this makes shrimp a pretty good anti-depressant food. Further our bodies
require a certain amount of fat to function well. We call these fats essential
fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acid such as that found in shrimp cannot be
manufactured by the body. We must get it from our diet. Essential fatty acids
protect our cells against invading toxins, bacteria, viruses and allergens, as
well as support a healthy cardiovascular system.
Shrimp taste good, are low in fat and calories.
They support both a healthy body and a healthy mind. So with shrimp we get good
taste, low calories and a high nutrient food that can be prepared in a number
of different ways, making shrimp something to smile about! Be happy…eat
shrimp.
Doctor Lynn
http://www.doctorlynn.com
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