Seafood trends: A health choice for dieters

(CNN) -- Studies show eating seafood at least twice a week may provide protective effects on your heart.

With over 200 species of fish and shellfish available, Americans should try to consume some form of omega-3 fatty acid -- polysaturated fat -- the so-called "good" source of fat.

According to the American Dietetic Association, omega-3 fatty acids found in seafood varieties like mackerel, albacore tuna, salmon, sardines, lake trout, shellfish, crustaceans, oysters and shrimp may provide some benefit from heart disease, heart attacks and sudden cardiac arrest due to an irregular heartbeat.

CNN NewsPass VIDEO CNN's Liz Weiss looks at some of the latest trends in seafood (June 11) Play video

While research reports the risks of getting food poisoning from seafood is relatively low, consumers should be aware uncooked fish might contain pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli, salmonella or parasites. And even if shellfish come from a clean, non-contaminated source, there are times the seawater might contain bacteria, parasites or chemical toxins.

All that said, seafood is a healthy choice to any diet, as registered dietician Liz Weiss explains in this report.