Why Low Seafood Intake in the U.S. Is Affecting Brain & Eye Health

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The Seafood Gap in America

Imagine a dinner table where there’s always plenty of fried chicken or red meat, but rarely a lobster, salmon, oysters, or big prawns. In the U.S., this is reality for almost 90% of families. The low consumption of seafood, especially the types rich in omega-3 fatty acids, is now showing up in lower brain and eye health for millions of Americans.

  • The average American eats only about 14.6 pounds of seafood per year—but over 100 pounds of red meat and poultry.
  • Government guidelines recommend at least two servings of seafood weekly, yet the majority of people don’t come close.

This means that important nutrients like DHA and EPA—found in crawfish, king crab, mussels, and salmon—are missing from most plates.

Why Your Brain and Eyes Need Seafood

Fatty fish and shellfish aren’t just tasty; they’re brain and eye boosters thanks to omega-3s. Seafood like salmon, oysters, and squid fish are packed with DHA and EPA, special fats only found in significant amounts in seafood.

  • For Brain Health
    • Omega-3s help the brain form new connections, store memories, and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia.[5]
    • Studies show adults eating seafood just once a week have less age-related memory loss.[5]
  • For Eye Health
    • DHA, abundant in crab, lobster, clams, and even mud crab, is a structural part of the retina (the back of the eye).
    • Low amounts of omega-3s increase the risk of dry eyes and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a common cause of vision loss.[1]

Doctors and nutritionists agree: Getting enough seafood means stronger, more resilient brains and clearer eyesight throughout life.

Ingredients Deep Dive

Let’s look at the super-nutrients inside your favorite seafoods and their healthy plant-based counterparts:

  • DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid): A must for brain and retina development. It keeps memory sharp and eyes healthy.[6]
  • EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid): Reduces inflammation across the body. It’s linked to lower risk of depression and heart disease.[5]
  • Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs): Not only good for your eyes and brain—they also help your joints, immunity, and even skin.[4]
  • Other Nutrients:
    • Vitamin D and B12 (commonly found in seafood) boost brain and energy levels. Learn more in our B12 & Vitamin D guide.
    • Antioxidants from seafood and plant oils protect nerves and eyes from damage.

If you don’t get these from seafood, products like Daily All Day’s plant-based omega-3 blends can help fill the nutrient gap.

Consequences of Missing Out

Skipping lobster, shrimp, fried prawns, or a seafood boil isn’t just about missing flavor. Here’s what low seafood intake is linked to:

  • For Adults:
    • Increased risk of memory loss, trouble concentrating, and mood disorders.
    • Greater risk of heart disease and chronic inflammation.[6]
  • For Kids:
    • Slower brain and eye development in growing children.
    • Lower social and learning skills, as proven by research.[1]

Plus, populations with less seafood tend to have more dry eye cases and even joint pain—because those anti-inflammatory fats are missing from their diets.[4]

How You Can Bridge the Gap

  • Include more seafood—like shrimp, mussels, squid fry, and king crab—in your weekly meals.
  • If seafood isn’t accessible or you follow a plant-based diet, try natural alternatives like sea buckthorn and flax seed-based omega formulas.
  • Choose certified, sustainable seafood (look for crab, lobster, clams in reliable fish markets, or order fish online from trusted vendors).
  • Try best seafood places in your city, search “seafood restaurant near me” or “best seafood restaurant near me” or check out a seafood festival 2025.

Quora QnA on Seafood and Health

  • How is it that a lack of omega-3 in food has a connection to eye health? Omega-3s such as DHA support the retina. Deficiency can cause dry eyes and age-related eye problems. Read more
  • Why does oily fish help the brain? Oily fish has omega-3, vital for memory and learning. Read more
  • What is the effect of eating fish brain? Fish head and brain have vitamin A, boosting eye and brain health. Read more
  • Could fish be the brain food you need? Research links fish intake to better brain health and protection against pollution effects. Read more
  • Is it advisable to eat seafood every day? Are there any risks? Experts say seafood 1–2 times weekly is best; overdoing it may add mercury risk, but moderate intake lowers cholesterol. Read more

Daily All Day Products To Fill the Gap

Sea Buckthorn Juice (500ml)

  • Main Ingredients: Pure Sea Buckthorn Raw Pulp (rich in Omega 3, 6, 9, and 7, Vitamin C, E, flavonoids, carotenoids).
  • Main Benefits:
    • Glowing skin, hair strength, and deeper hydration.
    • Boosts immunity and heart health.
    • Improves gut, supports metabolism, helps acne issues, and hydrates skin, eyes, and the gut lining.
    • 100% natural, no additives, vegan-friendly.
  • How to Use: Mix 3 spoons with water, twice daily (not on empty stomach). Best used for at least 6–8 weeks for full benefits.
  • Learn more or buy: Sea Buckthorn Juice

To see how sea buckthorn supports skin and brain, read this blog on skin glow.

Total Wellness Omega 3 6 9 (60 Capsules)

  • Main Ingredients: Flax Seeds (ALA), Linolenic & Oleic acids (supporting brain, joints, eyes).
  • Main Benefits:
    • Sharpens brain and memory function.
    • Supports eye, joint, and muscle health; soothes inflammation.
    • Natural, vegan, plant-based.
  • How to Use: 2 capsules daily after meals. A one-month supply in each bottle.
  • Read more or get it: Total Wellness Omega 3 6 9

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is DHA and why is it important for the brain and eyes?
    DHA is a special omega-3 fat found mostly in seafood and sea buckthorn. It is a building block of the human brain and retina. Without enough DHA, memory, learning, and even vision may suffer.[6]
  2. What if I am vegetarian or allergic to seafood?
    Great news: you can get plant-based omega-3s from Daily All Day Total Wellness Omega 3 6 9 capsules (with ALA) and Sea Buckthorn Juice (omega 3, 6, 7, and 9). This helps fill the gap safely and naturally.
  3. How much seafood should I eat for brain and eye health?
    Experts recommend two servings per week. That could mean enjoying cooked lobster at a seafood restaurant or adding spicy chilli prawns once in a while. For kids, this is especially important for good development.
  4. Are there risks in eating too much seafood?
    Seafood is very healthy if you avoid high-mercury fish and choose a mix—crab, shrimp, clams, mussels. Overeating can introduce heavy metals, so moderation is best. Always check for allergies.
  5. How long will it take to see improvements in brain or eye health?
    It can take 6–8 weeks of regular omega-3 intake (either from seafood or supplements) to see results in mood, learning, memory, or eye comfort.

Conclusion

The consequences of low seafood intake in the U.S. go far beyond missing out on the taste of crab, oysters, or grilled salmon. Research and expert consensus agree: omega-3 fatty acids, especially EPA and DHA, are critical for maintaining sharp vision and a healthy brain at all stages of life. Fatty fish and seafood deliver these nutrients in the right form and amount. Without enough seafood, Americans increase their risk for cognitive decline, vision problems, and even chronic inflammation.[5] Daily All Day's products like Sea Buckthorn Juice and Total Wellness Omega 3 6 9 offer powerful, plant-based alternatives packed with essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins—making them excellent options for those looking to fill the nutrient gap. By making informed choices and prioritizing seafood or plant-based omega-3s, we can protect our brains, eyes, and overall wellness long-term. For more insights on omega-3’s impact on heart and brain, check out this detailed omega-3 article. Your next trip to the fish market or wellness store could be the key to better cognitive health and bright vision for years to come.

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