The dangers of seafood that you may not know about
We all hear that seafood is great for us and we should incorporate it into our diets on a regular basis. What most of us don’t realize is that the majority of the fish today is loaded with toxic chemicals and mercury. Farmed fish is one of the worst foods you can eat. If you purchase a salmon dish prepared at a restaurant, you are most likely getting farmed salmon that has been fed GMO corn and dyed pink so it looks presentable on your dinner plate. Farmed salmon is high in something called polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs, which is a neurotoxic, hormone-disrupting chemical that has been banned in the U.S. since 1977 (scary!). Research studies have found levels of PCBs in farmed salmon to be up to seven times higher than wild-caught salmon. Also be aware that “Atlantic” salmon is another term used for farmed salmon and is not wild caught salmon from the Atlantic Ocean.
Other toxins detected in seafood include: BMAA (beta-mehtylamino-L-alanine), a neurotoxin that has been linked to neurological disorders such as ALS and Parkinson’s disease, chlorinated dioxins (a known carcinogen), pesticides, arsenic, and melamine. All of these toxins wreak havoc on our body chemistry, brain, and well-being.
What types of seafood to enjoy and what types to avoid
It is important when eating fish to choose those that are the lowest in toxins to keep your body and brain in optimum condition. If you enjoy eating fish and shellfish, make sure to choose seafood that is lowest in mercury and PCBs.
Fish and seafood highest in mercury and/or PCBs (stay away from): Farmed Salmon (a.k.a. Atlantic salmon), Atlantic Halibut, Atlantic Tuna, Atlantic Cod, American Eel, King Mackerel, King Crab, Caviar, Gulf Coast Oysters, Chilean Sea Bass, Tuna, Shark, Imported Shrimp, and Swordfish
Low-mercury seafood (ok to eat in small quantities): Anchovies, King Crab, Scallops, Tilapia, Wild Alaska and Pacific Salmon, Catfish, Clams, and Striped Bass.
If you are pregnant
Although the FDA and the EPA have stated that pregnant women can safely eat up to 12 ounces a week in fish, it is best to stay away from all fish as our oceans are more toxic than ever. In order to get a healthy dose of Omega 3s daily, choose a fish oil that has been tested for toxins.
Sarah Owens is creator of the popular blog http://www.Successhack.org, everything that has to do with peak performance for health and the mind. She has been a lover and researcher of holistic nutrition, subconscious therapies, and health for over 7 years.
Sarah is the author of the popular E-book Peak Performance Nutrition, a book that you can now download for free on her site. She encourages everyone to use their own intuition to find what works for them for peak performance, health, and success.