Pollock fish is super nutritious and tasty marine fish, which has been extensively used for various therapeutic purposes.

Nutritional profile

It is extremely nutritious and loaded with various imperative nutrients like proteins, unsaturated fats, vitamins (Vitamin A, D, K, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9 and B12) and minerals (sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper, magnesium and selenium)

Biological activity                 

Anti-inflammatory activity

• It contains various important nutrients like omega 3 fatty acid, B Vitamins (especially Vitamin B3 and B6) that exert powerful anti-inflammatory activity
• It helps in decreasing the level of inflammatory markers in body as a result delays the onset of inflammatory events thus reduces the prevalence of inflammatory diseases
• Vitamin B2 present in Pollock fish also plays vital role in decreasing the severity of migraine and headaches
• It has seen that consumption of Pollock fish is very effective for decreasing PMS cramps and all the credit goes to its Vitamin B6 component
• It is also associated with preventing joint swelling thus its consumption is thought to be very effective for improving the symptoms of arthritis

Anti-carcinogenic activity

• It exerts potent anti-carcinogenic activity and plays significant role in decreasing the prevalence of carcinoma
• It helps in hindering the growth of malignant cells by inducing apoptosis
• It helps to prevent metastasis as well

Hypoglycemic activity

• It is considered as an important part of diabetic diet plan due to its hypoglycemic activity
• It is a low glycemic food thus its consumption is not associated with enhancing the risk of increasing blood sugar level
• Its omega 3 fatty acid content also plays vital role in decreasing the complication of diabetes
• Niacin or Vitamin B3 present in Pollock fish helps in regulating blood sugar level as well
• Its protein content is also responsible for stabilizing blood sugar concentration  

Health benefits

Role on nervous system

• It plays vital role in the development of brain thus it is better to consume Pollock fish for obtaining a healthy nervous system and for improving intelligence and IQ level
• It is packed with various important nutrients that help in normal neural processes
• Phosphorus component of Pollock fish is considered as one of the most important nutrients that is required by the body for maintaining normal neurological responses and it has seen that deficiency of this trace element is associated with age related cognitive decline, which ultimately increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia

• Protein present in Pollock fish helps in the growth and development of brain. Protein is also responsible for stimulating the synthesis of neurotransmitter, which ultimately helps to promote the transmission of nerve impulse throughout the body
• One the other hand its protein content is also associated with synthesizing various enzymes and hormones, which help in proper brain functioning
• It helps in regulating the level of homocysteine as well, which plays imperative role in lessening the prevalence of neurological damage within the central nervous system
• Consumption of Pollock fish is also very effective for reducing the prevalence of ADHD or Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• Omega 3 fatty acid present in Pollock fish especially EPA and DHA help in promoting the growth and development of brain
• Whereas DHA especially helps in improving neuroplasticity, which is the wiring and rewiring of brain pathway that is considered as an important topic of research in Alzheimer’s disease

Role on mental health

• Its consumption is very helpful for promoting overall mental health
• It contains various important nutrients that help in maintaining proper emotional responses
• Its consumption is also associated with improving cognitive ability and memory
• Protein present in Pollock fish plays vital role in improving the normal learning ability because amino acids present in Pollock fish are essentially required by the body for promoting focus as well as energy

• It is linked with increasing the level of serotonin in body that plays vital role in preventing depression and anxiety thus helps in improving mood
• Vitamin B3 present in hillock fish also helps in decreasing the susceptibility of age related memory loss, motion sickness and depression

Role on eye health

• Consumption of Pollock fish is very useful for promoting overall eye health
• It contains various imperative nutrients that not only helps in improving eye health but also helps to decrease the susceptibility of developing eye disorders
• Its omega 3 fatty acid content is extremely useful for reducing the prevalence of cataract and age related macular degeneration
• Its B vitamin components especially Vitamin B6 also plays vital role in preventing the onset of macular degeneration

Role on reproductive health

• Consumption of Pollock fish is very useful for promoting fertility and healthy pregnancy
• Vitamin B3 present in Pollock fish helps in preventing erectile dysfunction, which is considered as one of the most important causes of male infertility
• Its omega 3 fatty acid content especially DHA plays vital role in promoting healthy sperm production and ensures the shape of sperm head. Sperm head is a cone like structure that makes the sperm able of breaking through an egg during conception

• Its selenium content is responsible for increasing sperm motility, which ultimately supports the fertilization process
• It is also related with improving hormonal balance thus helps in regulating menstrual cycle as a result decreases the prevalence of female infertility
• It is very effective for decreasing the prevalence of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) as well
• Its consumption is also associated with treating endometriosis

Role on gestational health

• Its consumption during pregnancy is very helpful as it promotes the growth and development of fetus
• EPA, DHA and Vitamin B6 components of Pollock fish play imperative role in neurodevelopment of fetus
• Its consumption also decreases the prevalence of miscarriage
• It is also associated with preventing morning sickness

Role on skin

• It is very effective for making the skin healthy and supple as it contains numerous imperative nutrients that help to nourish the skin and promotes overall skin health
• Its healthy fat components especially MUFA and Omega 3 fatty acid contents are accountable for enhancing skin glow and also help in maintaining skin elasticity. These fats help to prevent wrinkle as well
• Whereas its omega 3 fatty acid especially EPA and DHA help in preventing age spot, sun spot, eczema and psoriasis
• Its consumption is also associated with protecting the skin from inflammatory damages, dryness and redness

• It helps to stimulate the production of collagen as well, which ultimately helps in improving skin elasticity

Role on hair

• Consumption of Pollock fish is really very effective for keeping the hair healthy as well as vibrant
• It also helps to make the hair strong
• It is associated with improving blood flow to the scalp as a result helps to strengthen hair root hence promotes hair growth
• Vitamin B12 present in Pollock fish plays imperative role in preventing hair loss and split end
• It is also very useful for preventing dandruff

Therapeutic uses

It has been extensively used for various therapeutic purposes, which include –

• It helps to decrease the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases
• It helps to decrease cholesterol concentration in body as well thus helps to decrease the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia
• Its consumption is also related with preventing oxidative stress, which ultimately helps in lowering the susceptibility of becoming ill
• It helps to boost up overall immunological responses of the body too
• It helps to prevent anemia as well

Alakhrash, F., Anyanwu, U. and Tahergorabi, R., 2016. Physicochemical properties of Alaska pollock (Theragra chalcograma) surimi gels with oat bran. LWT-Food Science and Technology, 66, pp.41-47.

Bailey, K.M., 2021. Billion-dollar fish: The untold story of Alaska pollock. University of Chicago Press.

Bechtel, P.J. and Johnson, R.B., 2004. Nutritional properties of pollock, cod and salmon processing by-products. Journal of Aquatic Food Product Technology, 13(2), pp.125-142.

Hearn, T.L., SGOUTAS, S.A., HEARN, J.A. and SGOUTAS, D.S., 1987. Polyunsaturated fatty acids and fat in fish flesh for selecting species for health benefits. Journal of food science, 52(5), pp.1209-1211.

Raatz, S.K., Silverstein, J.T., Jahns, L. and Picklo, M.J., 2013. Issues of fish consumption for cardiovascular disease risk reduction. Nutrients, 5(4), pp.1081-1097.