Reversing the Trends with a Diet High in Omega 3 Acids

One of the old adages about seafood consumption was to eat it twice a week. These days, with warnings about the rising mercury levels of fish and cholesterol concerns from shellfish, you may be asking yourself, "Which species of fish should I eat?" Well, on that topic most experts agree. The types of fish containing Omega-3 fatty acids are the ones we should be eating twice a week. That includes fatty fish like salmon, tuna and mackerel.

Why fatty fish and not lean fish? In the past, we all learned about the dangers of a diet high in fat. Later, we learned about the dangers of a diet high in carbohydrates, leading to the protein-only fad. Well, it quickly became obvious that many meats which had no carbs to speak of were wreaking havoc on the cholesterol levels of the dieters. The answers, which are never simple, have nonetheless become clearer over time. It's not all fats that are bad. The reason is the effect some fats have on cholesterol levels. Diets which get their sources of protein from meat will lead to higher cholesterol, since the saturated fats are known to be harmful to human beings.

Turning to the Omega-3 acids found in fatty fish will reverse the process. Scientists are still not clear exactly how it happens, but people who eat this type of oil-rich fish (salmon, tuna) have turned out to have greater cardiac health than meat eaters -- or, even people who eat fish but tend to stick only with white fish, which has a lower fat content that wild salmon. You might say that there's always going to be a future study to disprove the study experts are suggesting is valid. That may be true, but the Omega-3 acid claims don't seem to acquire anything except more credibility.

When patients are suffering from inflated cholesterol levels and appearing to be at risk for heart disease, doctors are recommending an increased intake in the fatty acids found in fish oil. You can take it in the form of a pill, but that won't be much fun. Figuring out delicious meals with grilled trout or wild Alaska salmon will quickly make this diet a
pleasure to follow.

Great tasting Alaska seafood is a healthy way to feed the whole family. You'll find a ton of great nutrition information at the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute's website.