Every fall, millions of salmon journey back from the ocean to the river where they were born. You’ve probably seen the slow-motion shots on National Geographic before: a whole river full of jumping fish swimming valiantly upstream past grizzly bears and sports fisherman. It’s an inspiring scene. What’s also inspiring about salmon is their myriad of health benefits. Rich in omega-3s, salmon are an essential component of a healthy diet. Read on to learn about the health benefits of salmon.
Compared to those who do not eat any fish, research has depicted that salmon eaters have a 4% lower systolic, diastolic, and blood pressure. They also have lower amounts of bad cholesterols and triglycerides, and have been proven to have lower risks of coronary heart disease (CHD). The amino acids within salmon repairs damage done to the tissues in the heart by preventing arteries from hardening.
Significant improvement of cognitive function was also noted when research was conducted on patients who suffer from mild symptoms of cognitive impairment such as mild Alzheimer’s disease. The omega-3 fatty acids have also proven to decrease the loss of neurons, dementia, and decline of memory.
Recent research has proven that the omega-3’s that are present in foods such as salmon have yielded “improvement of the function of tissues involved [in] the development of obesity and the metabolic syndrome, as adipose tissue, the liver and skeletal muscle”. Omega-3’s help your metabolism fight off chronic inflammation, which, if not controlled, can lead to serious health issues.
One study suggests that consuming foods high in omega-3’s helps with depression. Omega-3’s lowers the inflammation in the brain that causes despondency and anxiety.
Consuming salmon might have the ability to decrease macular degeneration, loss of vision, and dryness of the eyes. High levels of omega-3 fatty acids and amino acids are accountable for these ocular benefits.
Regularly eating salmon can also have the power to lower your risk of developing diseases related to the bones and joints such as osteoporosis and arthritis. The omega-3 fatty acids in wild salmon produce these beneficial health effects by raising the calcium in your bones, which makes them much stronger.
Increased amount of these polyunsaturated fatty acids, which can be found in wild salmon, can show a significant decrease in the risk of developing colorectal cancer. Some studies have also suggested the protective effect of these omega-3’s on prostate and breast cancer.
Attacks Autoimmune Disease:
Including salmon and other foods that are high in omega-3’s each week have been evident in fighting autoimmune diseases such as childhood and the risk of developing latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). There is also much scientific evidence depicting the impact of omega-3’s on autoimmune diseases such as lupus, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Upping your intake of wild salmon helps those who suffer from asthma. Recent research points to a link between the powerful poly-unsaturated fatty acids present in salmon and a lower risk of asthma in young adults.
Salmon contains many omega-3’s, but these fatty acids also include DHA and EPA. which are extremely important compounds for your body. Studies have even proven the beneficial effect these compounds may have on your sleep schedule, stating that those suffering from sleep apnea have improved their quality of sleep. DHA and EPA also benefit children with ADHD.