September 20, 2017
5 Reasons Not to Eat Fish and Fish Oil Capsules
Physicians, dieticians and other health care professionals have continued to recommend eating fish 2 or 3 times per week as well as taking omega 3 fish oil capsules daily, in the hope of reducing heart disease and improving our overall health. After reading Dr. John McDougall’s article Confessions of a Fish Killer and reviewing Dr. Michael Gregor’s website Nutritionfacts.org, I am totally convinced that fish is more harmful than healthy and that you can get all the same nutrients in a plant based diet.
Fish does not lower risk of heart disease
Fish contains more cholesterol than beef, chicken or pork. Fish has sulfur-containing amino acids such as methionine which raise homocysteine levels in the body. Higher homocysteine levels raises risk for heart disease. There is no conclusive evidence to support that higher omega-3 consumption from fish oil reduces heart disease. Other lifestyle factors come into play.
Ocean Fish are toxic with high mercury levels
Mercury accumulates in our body and causes damage to our nervous system, heart, kidneys and immune system, more so for young children and the developing fetus. Some of the affects of mercury poisoning on the brain are motor dysfunction, memory loss and learning disabilities. Studies have shown that people with higher amounts of mercury have higher blood cholesterol levels and subsequently more heart disease.
Farm raised fish are fed unhealthy oils and are more toxic than ocean fish
These fish are fed rations of cheaper oils and fish meal made up of small fish taken from chemically contaminated seas. When these fish are kept in close proximity, they breed disease.
Over fishing will lead to extinction
Only 10% of large fish are left in the sea. Why not leave them alone and let them repopulate.
Eating fish oils increases cancer risk
Fish are contaminated with PCB’s which raise the risk of getting prostate cancer.
So where do we get our omega-3’s that are not contaminated? How about adding a tablespoon of ground flax seeds or chia seeds or hemp seeds to our daily cereal or smoothie. Your body and our environment will thank you.
