Fish and Seafood Fat Content
No, fish and seafood do not contain only unsaturated fats—they also contain saturated fats, though in much smaller amounts than terrestrial animal products. For patients with hypercholesterolemia on pravastatin and ezetimibe, understanding the complete fat profile of fish is important for optimal dietary management.
Fat Composition of Fish and Seafood
- Fish contain both saturated and unsaturated fats, with the ratio heavily favoring unsaturated fats, particularly omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (EPA and DHA) 1
- The saturated fat content in fish is significantly lower than in red meat and poultry, typically comprising less than 7% of total calories when fish is the primary protein source 1
- Fatty fish species (mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna, and salmon) provide the highest amounts of cardioprotective omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA 1
Dietary Recommendations for Hypercholesterolemia
- All patients with hypercholesterolemia should limit total saturated fat intake to <7% of total calories, trans fatty acids to <1% of total calories, and cholesterol to <200 mg/day 1
- The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least two times per week, particularly fatty fish species, as part of therapeutic lifestyle changes 1
- A Mediterranean diet pattern—which emphasizes seafood (especially oily fish), unsaturated fatty acids (particularly olive oil), wholegrains, and tree nuts while limiting animal fat—is advised for patients with dyslipidemia 1
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Benefits
- For patients with documented coronary heart disease, 1 gram of combined EPA and DHA per day is recommended, which can be obtained from consuming oily fish or omega-3 fatty acid capsules 1
- Omega-3 fatty acids from fish reduce cardiovascular disease risk through multiple mechanisms: decreasing arrhythmias, thrombosis risk, triglyceride levels, atherosclerotic plaque growth rate, and inflammatory responses 1
- For patients with triglycerides ≥200 mg/dL on adequate statin therapy, fish oil supplementation may be reasonable for additional cardiovascular risk reduction 1
Important Caveats
- While fish is an excellent protein source low in saturated fat, it is not completely devoid of saturated fats—this distinction matters when calculating total daily saturated fat intake 1
- Some fish species may contain methylmercury, PCBs, and other environmental contaminants, though many omega-3-rich species are low in these substances, and fish oil supplements are methylmercury-free 1
- The cardiovascular benefits of regular fish consumption far outweigh concerns about trace saturated fat content in the context of overall dietary pattern for hypercholesterolemic patients 1