To cut the risk of heart disease, Americans Need To Eat More Fish In Their Daily Diet, says new dietary guidelines of the government. Twice as much as current fish consumption will also help improve heart health.

USDA’s latest guidelines: People, presently, consume 3½ ounces of seafood per week on an average. However, the latest guidelines say that Americans need to eat more fish; hence, adults should consume not less than 8 ounces every week. U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Secretary Tom Vilsack said that research showed fish reduces the risk of heart problems – a debate, which apparently convinces American Heart Association’s President Ralph Sacco too.

Fish lowers risk of heart diseases: "There's good scientific evidence that people who eat fish have lower risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke," Sacco said. His association recommends more fish serving every week, which is good for Americans’ health. He lauded the USDA for adding more fish consumption to their new guidelines since very few of them eat enough fish each week when Americans need to eat more fish.

Why Americans need to eat more fish?: Omega-3 fatty acids help in reducing risk of heart disease and seafood like salmon are rich source of these nutrients. The only point of argument among researchers is how much fish should a person eat since heavy metal like methyl mercury, which causes heart problems are also at varying levels in seafood. Countering the methyl mercury’s risks, the guidelines recommend Americans to eat variety of seafood rich in omega-3 acids and poor in mercury like anchovies, salmon, herring, Pacific oysters, light canned tuna, catfish, sardines, trout, Pacific mackerel, flounder and crab.

USDA’s guidelines difficult to implement: Boston dietitian Elizabeth Ward has also welcomed the USDA’s new seafood guidelines, but expressed doubts on its implementation. "Fish consumption is so pitifully low now that it will take time to get it up to the amount the guidelines are suggesting," she added. Ward suggests eating some brands of cheese, milk and eggs, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids to reduce heart disease risk. Know more about some other heart-healthy foods.

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