Atlantic or Pacific, wild or farmed, there is a lot to consider when adding salmon to your diet. There are different types of salmon caught in different waters. Then there are the aquacultures where salmon are bred. In the United States, the wild Atlantic salmon is on the endangered species list, and wild Alaskan salmon is the best catch. Salmon is full of nutrients and is easy to digest, making it one of the healthiest foods to eat.
Types
According to The World's Healthiest Foods website, there is one species of Atlantic salmon and five species of Pacific salmon. Atlantic salmon can be wild or farmed like the popular Norwegian salmon. The five species of the Pacific are chinook (or king), chum, pink, coho (or silver) and sockeye (or red), with chinook and sockeye being a fattier salmon than pink or chum. The colors vary from pink to red to orange.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Omega 3 essential fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats found in fish. Coldwater fish, like the Alaskan salmon, have higher levels of this nutrient. As stated by the Alaska Seafood website, the type of fat in our diet "alters the production of a group of biological compounds known as eicosanoids." The eicosanoids have influence over blood clotting, blood pressure, inflammation, immune function and coronary spasms. A study done at the University of Washington showed that eating salmon once a week can reduce the risk of cardiac arrest.
Antioxidants
Salmon is also a great source of vitamin E, an antioxidant that reduces the risk of heart disease. Antioxidants get rid of free radicals that "can damage basic genetic material, cell walls and structures eventually leading to cancer and heart disease," according to the Alaska Seafood website. Salmon may play a role in reducing plaque buildup in the arteries as well as boost the immune system. The vitamin E in salmon may also ward off the formation of cataracts.
What To Buy
Wild Alaskan salmon is the best choice of salmon. The icy waters of Alaska breed the fattest salmon. As noted on the Alaska Seafood website, "the fat content of salmon depends not only on the genetic makeup of each species, but also on its spawning cycle." Salmon will carry more fat, the longer and harder the trip. The Environmental Defense Fund website rates wild Alaskan salmon as the best choice because it is safe for the environment and hosts low amounts of contamination.
Considerations
According to the Environmental Defense Fund website, farmed salmon, labeled Atlantic, are associated with numerous environmental concerns. The farming contributes to water pollution, chemical use, parasites and disease. The salmon are farmed on a large-scale basis, causing the area to be densely populated. Some fish escape and breed with wild fish, spreading disease. Because of contaminants, health alerts are issued to encourage avoidance or limited consumption of farmed salmon.
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