Why Eat Fish

I Did Not Eat Fish

When I was a girl the only fish I ate was fish sticks and tuna fish. I had been married several years before we bought a trout at the fish counter and Jim found it in the freezer a year later. Jim on the other hand was fishing by the time he could walk. Our consumption of fish slowly increased until it reached its peak when we lived in Oregon. It was a shame to eat a hamburger when visiting the coast so we always found fish to eat. We have eaten shrimp, scallops, crab cakes, salmon, trout, cod, mackerel, halibut, and more.

However fish also requires caution. Mercury in lakes and radiation on the west coast from the earthquake in Japan, overfishing in the Atlantic are real concerns when eating this desired fish.

We Eat Fish Often for Vitamin D

We are to eat fish three times a week. Why? Fish are full of nutrients, high in Protein, omega 3, and Vitamin D. Fish contains Iodine which our bodies require and are high in other vitamins and minerals.

Salmon, trout, sardines, tuna and mackerel are the best fish for fatty fish.

Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin. It is like a steroid hormone. What does it do for us? Vitamin D aids in calcium absorption. Helps the body have strong bones and teeth. It supports the immune system, brain and nervous system. It helps regulate insulin. Promotes cardiovascular health. Helps in cancer prevention by slowing the growth and development of new blood vessels in cancerous tissues. This causes the cancer cells to die.

The body cannot make Vitamin D. We must put in into the body. It is taken in my sunshine and certain types of food including fish. What does Vitamin D deficiency look like? Frequent illness and infections. Fatigue and tiredness. Bone and Back pain. Depression, Wounds the don’t heal. Bone loss, (osteopenia and osteoporosis). Hair loss. Muscle Pain

Now let us go back to the fish.

Eating Fish Benefits

Here are some benefits of eating fish. Fish are high in nutrients.

Fish can lower risk of heart attacks and strokes. Many studies show results of lower heart disease people and who eat fish. Fish may increase grey matter in the brain and protect it from age-related deterioration.

Remember when a person has Vitamin D Deficiency they can be depressed. The opposite is true of those who eat fish regularly. The omega 3 fatty acids work against depression.

Fish is the best source of Vitamin D.

Regular consumption of fish is linked to reduced risk of autoimmune diseases and Type 1 Diabetes.

There is new evidence that the omega fatty acids may protect against Macular Degeneration.

A study with 95 men who had salmon three times a week shows improved quality of sleep.

We understand why it is so good. Now how do we get it.

The Best Fish to Eat Is …..

The best fish comes from the Pacific and the worst comes from the Atlantic. The cod in the Atlantic has been over fished for the last 1000 years and is close to extension. If fish is labeled “Atlantic” salmon it is farmed salmon. The conditions for the farmed fish are generally full of pesticides, feces, parasites and bacteria. “It is illegal to fish wild Atlantic salmon because they are on the endangered Species Act.” Dr Ax has a great article on why not to eat Farm raised fish. https://draxe.com 17 Fish you Should not eat.

Wild caught Alaskan Salmon are one of the best fish to purchase.

Other fish to make your goal to eat are Altantic Mackerel, Pacific Sardines, Sablefish/Black Cod, Tuna, and Albacore or Skpjack.

When fishing in lakes, catch the younger smaller fish (within the limits) because they are less likely to be full of pollutants like the larger older fish. Be sure and research the lakes near you to find out their contaminate levels of mercury and other pollutants.

All this said, take you grandchildren out for a great day of fishing. When we took out grandson out fishing a couple years ago he was thrilled to catch his first fish and then you saw in his eyes when he realized it was alive and he was the one to kill it. That was a sobering day for him. But a day of good memories.

Jim has many early fond memories of fishing with his dad. He Still enjoys fishing.

Increase your fish consumption. Your health depends on it.