In countries where people eat more pelagic fish, demersal fish, and crustaceans, fewer children show signs of stunted growth, even when accounting for income levels, sanitation, and total animal food...
Mechanism
Synthesis from 1 study
Fish and shellfish give children the exact nutrients their bodies need to grow tall and develop their brains — especially DHA, zinc, vitamin B12, and iron — because these nutrients are easier to absorb and use than those from plants. When kids get enough of these, their bones grow longer, their...
Most probable mechanism
When children eat more fish and shellfish, their bodies get more of the essential nutrients needed to grow tall and develop their brains. These nutrients help build new cells, make red blood cells, and reduce inflammation, which lets bones grow longer and the brain work better. Without enough of these nutrients, growth slows down and children become stunted.
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from aquatic animal foods is absorbed in the small intestine and incorporated into neuronal and cellular membranes, supporting synaptogenesis, myelination, and anti-inflammatory signaling.
Zinc from aquatic animal foods is absorbed via ZIP4 transporters in the duodenum and jejunum and acts as a cofactor for enzymes involved in DNA synthesis, protein folding, and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) signaling.
Vitamin B12 from aquatic animal foods is absorbed in the ileum via intrinsic factor and serves as a cofactor in methionine synthase and methylmalonyl-CoA mutase reactions, enabling DNA synthesis and red blood cell maturation.
Heme iron from crustaceans and mollusks is absorbed via heme carrier protein 1 in the duodenum and transported by transferrin to bone marrow erythroblasts for hemoglobin synthesis.
Collective improvements in nutrient status enhance linear growth by promoting collagen formation, osteoblast activity, and IGF-1-mediated bone elongation, while reducing systemic inflammation and anemia that impair growth.
Improved neurodevelopment from DHA and vitamin B12 supports metabolic regulation and appetite control, indirectly reinforcing nutrient utilization for somatic growth.
Less supported by current evidence, but not ruled out
Choline and DHA from fish and shellfish help build brain cell membranes and produce signaling molecules that support learning and memory, which may improve how the body uses nutrients for growth.
Choline from aquatic animal foods is absorbed and converted to phosphatidylcholine and betaine, serving as a methyl donor in epigenetic and metabolic pathways.
DHA and choline together enhance synaptic plasticity and myelination during early brain development.
Improved neural regulation of appetite and metabolism may increase nutrient partitioning toward growth processes.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Community contributions welcome
Aquatic Animal Foods for Nutrition Security and Child Health
Contradicting (0)
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