Aging is a beautiful and natural part of life, and a journey best enjoyed when you’re able to age well. Certain lifestyle choices, like diet, can support healthy aging so that you’re able to feel great through every stage of life. A balanced seafood diet, for instance, may have nutrients that support anti-aging benefits.
While there’s no conclusive evidence linking seafood and longevity, Alaskan seafood offers a range of nutrients that could help you maintain a healthy vitality and sense of well-being as you age. From omega-3 fatty acids to antioxidants, here are some of the potential anti-aging benefits of fish.
Can Astaxanthin in Salmon Make You Look Younger?
Wild salmon contains astaxanthin, which is an antioxidant that gives each type of Pacific salmon its unique red or pink color. Including this nutrient in your diet may have anti-aging benefits.
There’s no conclusive evidence that you can eat foods to look younger. However, studies have suggested that a diet rich in astaxanthin could help support skin elasticity. It may also help repair damaged skin, maintain skin moisture levels, and potentially slow the formation of new wrinkles.1
Additionally, astaxanthin has anti-inflammatory properties2 that could help support stress reduction overall. Reducing stress could help you look and feel younger, as stress is a major factor in premature aging — not just for your skin, but for your brain.
Selenium in Seafood May Support Healthy Aging
Many varieties of wild-caught seafood contain selenium, an essential nutrient for optimal health. Notably, a single 6 oz. serving of Pacific halibut contains over a full day’s worth of selenium.3
Without adequate selenium in our diets, we are more susceptible to conditions that can lead to premature aging. A recent reports4 drew a connection between selenium deficiency and accelerated aging. Low levels of selenium were also tied to a lower life expectancy and immunity dysfunction.
While there’s no such thing as an “anti-aging fish diet,” adding a nutritious variety of wild-caught seafood to your diet can help you consume adequate amounts of nutrients like selenium.
Does Seafood Contain Anti-Aging Fats?
Many types of wild-caught seafood contain omega-3s like DHA and EPA — especially fatty fish like salmon or sablefish. These nutrients are well-known for their potential to support heart health. A recent review found that these fatty acids were associated with cardiovascular benefits that can help to increase your life expectancy5.
These special fats found in seafood may also have anti-aging potential. At the surface level, a diet rich in omega-3s may support skin health. There’s some evidence that these fats can support the skin’s ability to repair itself and better withstand UV damage from sun exposure. Conversely, people who are deficient in omega-3s may experience the loss of moisture content in the skin as well as a higher incidence of eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis6.
A regular rotation of omega-3s in your diet may support improved cognitive function as well. Additionally, a diet rich in these healthy fats could help support healthy sleep patterns. Good quality sleep is critical for your well-being, as it gives your body time to repair itself from the inside out.
Where to Buy the Best Fish for Healthy Aging
Make sure to enjoy nutritious, wild-caught seafood as a regular part of a healthy lifestyle. Sign up for a seafood subscription box to get a delicious variety of sustainably-harvested fish and shellfish delivered to your doorstep, on your schedule.
