Move over veganism,
theres nothing fishy about
Unearthed the pescetarian diet.
The diet that extends life and halves the risk of bowel
cancer.
P
escetarianism is a diet rapidly
growing in popularity amongst society, for its
convenience and health benefits. Similar to that
of the vegetarian and vegan diet, pescetarians do
not eat the meat of land animals, however they
incorporate seafood into their diet for easily
accessible inclusion of protein.
Research suggests that becoming a pescetarian
also has extended health benefits, such as
protection against bowel cancer. Also known as
colorectal cancer, bowel cancer is the third most
common cancer in the world. In 2016, the
mortality rate was 14 deaths due to bowel cancer
per 100,000 people.
One of the cancers largest risk factors is of eating
red or processed meat, and therefore cutting such
food from your diet reduces risks drastically. Not
eating meat also has been found to reduce
cravings for sugary, salty, or other weight gaining
foods, therefore aiding weight loss and overall
healthier lifestyles.
Reduction of meat and increased plant based
meals has seen to reduce hyperinsulinemia,
which is a condition of an excess of insulin levels.
These higher insulin levels are of relation to
bowel cancer risk, studies show.
Like vegetarian and vegan diets, the pescetarian
diet is additionally ethical. As the brains of fish
are structurally different to those of humans, they
lack a part of the cerebral cortex within the brain,
called the neocortex. This part of the brain is
responsible for causing humans and other
mammals (that are eliminated from diet) to cause
pain. Therefore, the killing and eating of fish is
much more ethical than that of other animals.
A fish inclusive diet has been long observed to be
a highly beneficial habit in terms of health.
Avoiding the saturated fat that is contained
within many assortments of red meat and the
often-inevitable intake of fruits and vegetables
are only a few of the numerous benefits of the
pescetarian diet. Seafood is additionally rich in
vitamin D and omega 3, making it a superfood
that contributes to lowering cholesterol and
reducing the risks of mental health problems
such as depression and anxiety. Eating only two
portions of seafood a week has been proven to
extend consumers overall happiness, whilst
reducing cravings for other meats or unhealthy
foods.

Source: Fresh Delights
In a study conducted in June 2016, 45000 meat
eaters were analysed and compared to 45000
pescetarians. It was found that pescetarians had
a 43% lower risk of developing any sort of cancer
as opposed to those who ate meat. The results
were consistent, showing that there are clear
links between the likelihood of cancer diagnosis
and meat eating.
As referred to in studies that examine the diets of
the worlds longest lived people, the consumption
of meat was minimalised yet fish was allowed.
This was due to the many health benefits such as
less saturated fat and more beneficial omega 3
fatty acids.
Eliminating meat, but not fish
from your diet, is a common trait
in the average longevity diet.
A downside to the typical vegetarian or vegan diet
are the much higher risks of developing
conditions such as anemia from iron deficiency.
However, as fish is rich in iron and B-vitamins,
the risk of iron deficiency is much smaller.
Although iron is still present in the plant based
sources many vegans and vegetarians consume,
the iron is not absorbed within the body as it is
with seafood.
The omega-3 fatty acids found within fish have
exceptional results on lowering blood pressure. If
the desired effect of embarking on a new diet is
for this intent, then incorporating multiple serves
of fish weekly into the DASH diet may be the
answer. The DASH diet aims specifically to lower
and reduce high blood pressure, by incorporating
plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean
proteins into your diet. A prime example of lean
protein is found within fish, particularly within
salmon. Therefore, incorporating fish into other
desired diets can have additional or maximised
effects.
According to the Harvard Nurses Health Study,
the leading cause of death in the US is heart
disease. Heart disease is associated directly with
a daily cholesterol intake, that is only found
within animal foods, but not fish. Fish is the only
animal product that does not contain this sort of
cholesterol, and is therefore not an influencing
factor in the likelihood of obtaining heart disease.
Recent studies from the U.S recommend that
seafood consumption should be increased to two
serves a week per capita.
Incorporating fish into serves only twice a week reduces deaths by
36% from sudden heart attacks.
Source: Get Real About Seafood
Australia wide statistics show that 75% of all
Australians are overweight. Foods with high
sugar and salt content contribute to weight gain,
however statistics also show that the
incorporation of vegetarianism or pescetarianism
in your diet can significantly lower the likelihood
of consumption of these foods, as less meat eating
encourages the consumption of plant based foods.
Seafood has been shown to also halve the risk of a
chronic eye disease known as age-related macular
degeneration, studies show. Consuming the
minerals found within fish are the ultimate
protection against this disease, as fish contains
minerals present in no other plant based sources.
These minerals, mostly found in salmon, are able
to prevent, and potentially reverse AMD.
Becoming a pescetarian takes the same benefits
that vegetarians experience, but additionally
attain nutrient sources from the seafood. Like
vegetarians, pescetarians are more likely to
consume a wider variety of plant based sources,
however will still attain high quality protein and
omega 3.
These discoveries indicate the endless benefits of
following a pescetarian diet, and demonstrates a
healthy alternative to those struggling with
another non-meat eating diet.
References
Craig, W. J. "Health Effects Of Vegan Diets". N.p.,
2017. Print.
Knapton, Sarah. "Long Term Vegetarian Diet
Changes Human DNA Raising Risk Of Cancer And
Heart Disease". The Telegraph. N.p., 2017. Web. 21
Feb. 2017.
"Forget Being A Veggie - It's Healthier To Be A
Pescetarian". Mail Online. N.p., 2017. Web. 21 Feb.
2017.
"The Pescetarian Diet". Todaysdietitian.com. N.p.,
2017. Web. 21 Feb. 2017.
"Bowel Cancer Statistics | Bowel Cancer". Bowel-
cancer.canceraustralia.gov.au. N.p., 2017. Web. 21
Feb. 2017.
"Fresh Delights Foods L.L.C".
Freshdelightsfoods.com. N.p., 2017. Web. 21 Feb.
2017.
"Seafood Benefits For Adults | Benefits Of Eating
Fish". Getrealaboutseafood.com. N.p., 2017. Web.
21 Feb. 2017.
"Vegetarians Who Eat Fish Are Actually Onto
Something | MUNCHIES". MUNCHIES: Food by
VICE. N.p., 2017. Web. 21 Feb. 2017.
Disclaimer: Some of the information featured in
this article is fictional.