Thursday, February 4, 2010

Something Fishy...

Omega 3 Fatty Acids are amazing for the body! They are good for heart and brain health and have been found to have a multitude of benefits ranging from helping with aging and arthritis, to depression and heart conditions.
But, many people don't get nearly enough, and many more are a little skittish when it comes to eating fish, due in part to a fear of mercury. But there are ways to get these essential fishy oils and still feel safe.
One alternative is to take fish oil capsules (found at your local health food store) and another is to eat fish that are deemed "safe" and "sustainable". According to the Monterey Bay Aquarium "Seafood Watch" program, here is a list of fish that are deemed safe for the California Area.

-Abalone (US Farmed)
-Artic Char (Farmed)
-Barramundi (US Farmed)
-Catfish (US Farmed)
-Clams, Mussels, Oysters (farmed)
-Cobia (US Farmed)
-Cod: Pacific (Alaska longline)
-Crab: Dungeness
-Halibut: Pacific
-Lobster: Spiny (US)
-Rockfish: Black (California or Orgeon) **it is recommended to limit consumption of this fish due to possible murcury
-Sablefish/Black Cod (Alaska, British Columbia)
-Salmon (Alaska wild)
-Sardines: Pacific (US)
-Scallops: Bay (Farmed)
-Shrimp: Pink (Oregon)
-Striped Bass (Farmed or Wild) **it is recommended to limit consumption of this fish due to possible murcury
-Tilapia (US Farmed)
-Trout: Rainbow (Farmed)
-Tuna: Albacore (troll/pole, US or British Columbia)
-Tuna: Skipjack (troll/pole)
-White Seabass


For more information on the "Seafood Watch" program and to view the entire list of fish; including those deemed "acceptable" and those marked as "unsafe", please visit this site.

For more information on the potential health benefits of Omega 3's and other health news, please visit Dr. Jonny Bowden's Blog.