Fish oil from wild salmon can provide an abundance of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Wild salmon rates among the top 10 healthiest fish, containing more omega-3 fatty acids and less of the toxic metal mercury, according to the American Heart Association. Fish oil from wild salmon promotes a healthy heart, improves immune system function and can potentially benefit your health in several ways.
Benefits
The body cannot produce omega-3 fatty acids, they must be obtained primarily from cold-water fish sources such as salmon and salmon oil. The fish oil in wild salmon contains the highly beneficial omega 3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, and eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA. The omega-3 fatty acids in wild salmon fish oil improves cholesterol levels, reduces high blood pressure and reduces the risk of death from heart attacks, stroke and abnormal heart rhythms in heart attack survivors. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil from wild salmon may reduce inflammation, promote brain function and memory, benefit some cancers, help joint health and bowel diseases and alleviate depression.
Wild Salmon
Salmon raised in ocean feed lots can contain high levels of extremely toxic industrial compounds including PCBs and dioxins. A study published in the January 2004 edition of the journal "Science" analyzed over 2 metric tons of farmed and wild salmon from around the world and discovered that farmed salmon contained significantly more toxins than those caught in the wild. The fish oil from wild salmon not only has fewer toxins, but contains more omega-3 fatty acids; farm-raised salmon contains one-third less omega-3 fatty acids than its wild counterpart. Additionally, farm-raised salmon contains the omega fatty acid, omega-6, a substance commonly over-consumed in the American diet that can cause inflammation.
Supplements
While both the DHA and EPA in wild salmon oil supplements are vital omega-3 fatty acids, DHA is considered the most beneficial. The best fish oil supplements contain 280 mg of DHA, according to Healthy Omega 3 Fish Oil. In addition, although believed to contain fewer toxins, ensure your wild salmon oil supplement is from a reputable company that guarantees contaminant-free products: Look for a purification guarantee on the label. Adults with coronary heart disease are advised to take 1 g of EPA and DHA fish oil supplements daily and those with high cholesterol should take 2 to 4 g per day, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. In general, do not take more than 3 g of fish oil daily without consulting your doctor.
Precautions
Fish oil from wild salmon can increase bleeding in people who bruise easily, have a bleeding disorder or take blood-thinning medications such as aspirin, Coumadin or Plavix. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil can also increase the fasting blood sugar levels in diabetics and should only be used with caution when taking medications, including insulin to lower blood sugar. Consult your doctor before taking any form of fish oil.
References
- American Heart Association: Fish 101
- Healthy Omega 3 Fish Oil: Is There Much Omega 3 in Salmon That Almost All of Us Eat?
- "Los Angeles Times" ; Kenneth R. Weiss; Jan. 9, 2004
- "Science"; Ronald Hites et al.; January 2004
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Healthy Omega 3 Fish Oil: How To Find The Best Fish Oil Supplements
Member Comments