The Benefits of Salmon

What's on our dinner table tonight? My all-time favorite smoked protein:

Salmon!

The benefits of Salmon are no surprise to the health food junkies out there, but some of you may need some convincing before consuming the supposedly "fishy" fish.

Why eat Salmon?
An awesome source of Omega 3s, Bioactive Peptides (bioactive protein molecules), Vitamins A, B & D, B12, niacin and selenium, here are some of the delicious benefits Salmon can provide the regular consumer:

-lower your bad cholesterol while increasing the good cholesterol
-prevent cancer
-lower blood pressure
-help protect you from aging (cha-ching!)

-lower you risk of diabetes by regulating sugar absorption rate

-shiny hair, bright eyes and healthy skin (ow ow!)

-Speed up your metabolism (yes)

-one 4 oz filet serves as more than half of your recommended daily protein intake

Additionally, the Bioactive Peptides in recent studies have shown to provide:
-special support for joint cartilage
-insulin effectiveness by regulating sugar absorption
-control of inflammation in the digestive track

So when Mike comes home from the market with a big 1.5 pound filet I am excited. Not only do I love the flavor (throw a little jerk seasoning on it and put it in the oven at 350 degrees F for 20-30 mins, or until flaky, and you're set) but I love knowing I'm eating something that is doing so many wonderful things for my body. 

So what about those farm raised rumors I keep hearing about?

These rumors unfortunately do have some truth to them, and many consumers out there don't have access to the recommended wild caught Salmon. Farm raised salmon does run the risk of having infection or disease due to the tight quarters it is raised in. These salmon are also fed chemically produced fish oil and fish meal, where wild salmon are free to find their own natural source of sustenance. Farm raised salmon are also given chemical coloring so they appear to have the same natural shade as wild salmon and they can have lower levels of Omega 3s due to their living conditions, leading to less benefits to you. 

Now, that being said...the gap is closing!

Don't give up on buying the Salmon at your meat counter just yet. The ACS (American Chemical Society) regulates every inch of Salmon farming from water quality to worker wages. All the major producers worldwide — who, among them, produce 70 percent of the nearly 5 billion pounds of farmed salmon harvested annually — have signed on and have committed to compliance by 2020 (www.seattletimes.com). So changes are being made and the quality of the fish you have available to you is improving. Don't discount it yet! 

You can also order your fish online if you are able and willing at http://www.great-alaska-seafood.com, rumored to have some of the best wild caught fish available.

What if I don't like fish?

Since McKinley is still a little young for proteins, I mix Flax in to several of her baked goods. Flax is a great source of dietary fibers and Omega 3s (great for brain development in little ones). Studies have also shown that Flax may reduce cholesterol, so if you or your loved one just can't take the fishiness of Salmon, next time you make some homemade bread or a post-workout health shake, throw a tablespoon of ground Flax in and get those Omega 3s!