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Australia: International conference focuses on benefits of seafood for mental health |
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Sunday, 08 August 2010 11:08 |
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How to avoid an epidemic of mental illness and other brain disorders that experts warn will be the world’s largest single health problem within a decade is a focus of an international conference in Australia later this year. At a recent conference in London researchers described as the world’s foremost authorities in neuroscience and nutrition warned of "unthinkable health, social and fiscal consequences” unless there is increased consumption of DHA, an Omega-3 oil found most abundantly in seafood. Many of these researchers will gather again at the International Seafood & Health Conference (ISHC) in Melbourne in November. ISHC Chairman Mr Roy Palmer said the conference would pursue answers to many of the issues raised at the London event. One of the major issues discussed would be mental ill health and other brain disorders, which experts forecast will be the top two diseases in the world by 2020. To combat this they have called for a restoration of traditional fish and seafood consumption. Professor Michael Crawford, Director of the Institute of Brain Chemistry & Human Nutrition at London Metropolitan University, and patron of the Melbourne conference, is arguing for what he calls “action at the most fundamental level to circumvent the mental health epidemic facing our society,” said Mr Palmer. To discuss possible solutions to this looming problem state and federal health and fisheries ministers, and their senior bureaucrats, from Australia and elsewhere have been invited to the conference. Mr Palmer added, “at present, the major issue for western nations like Australia is simply lack of recognition by most people about the need to improve their diet with more DHA but, in future, issues of sustainability, supply and food security will come into play. The Melbourne conference comes at a critical time and potentially will have a very significant role in shaping major decisions surrounding nutrition and mental health worldwide over the next decade.”
The Melbourne conference has attracted a top level sponsor in Simplot Australia, the producer of well known brands such as Bird’s Eye, John West, and Seakist. Mr Callum Elder, Simplot Executive General Manager Quality and Innovation said seafood is one of nature’s most diverse, tasty and healthy foods, with an ever increasing body of scientific evidence clearly demonstrating the health benefits associated with regular consumption. As a member of the Australian Seafood Cooperative Research Centre, the company is funding leading edge clinical research with Australian universities and research centres on the health benefits of seafood with children, and the elderly.
More information about the conference is available at www.seafoodhealthconference.com
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