Fish Oil Health Benefits: Farm Raised vs. Wild Salmon
Posted by Michael Byrd on Nov 08 2006 | Tagged as: Fish Oil Health Benefits
Here’s the question for the day. If you’re going to eat salmon, which is better for you, farm raised or wild salmon? You probably already know, but you might not know why.
Farm raised salmon live in overcrowded conditions, swimming through each other’s excrement, with little room to exercise and stretch their fins. They are higher in bad fats and lower in omega 3 fatty acids. Wild salmon live in cold open water, free to move about, get plenty of exercise and thrive. They are a richer source of omega 3 oils, the very reason we’re supposed to eat them, and provide much firmer, tastier meat.
Farm raised salmon is fed a standard “fish†diet that includes antibiotics, coloring agents, and pesticides to overcome infections associated with fish farms and other health problems from their overcrowded conditions (baby salmon are actually vaccinated down on the farm!). Wild salmon eat a nutrient dense, nutrient diverse source of food from a natural, whole food diet, lowering their exposure to unwanted toxins and chemicals and improving their immunity, health and nutrient content.
Farm raised salmon are higher in toxins (like dangerous PBDE compounds, a flame-retardant additive) and heavy metals (like mercury) because they are contained and confined. Wild salmon, on the other fin, have the ability to swim and forage for food in cold, clean waters, decreasing their exposure to such frightening things.
The flesh of farm raised salmon is mushy and naturally gray. Coloring agents are added to achieve the desired and appetizing color. You might even be surprised to find out that they have color swatches to help them get the color just right. Wild salmon are NOT dyed. And like a true redhead, their color is natural and much more appealing.
And finally, fish farms are horrible for not only the fish and the people who eat them, but for the environment too. Fish farms can even threaten the wild population. Some scientists feel that farm raised fish, which are full of antibiotics, are contributing to antibiotic resistance in humans. Just what we need!
We all get to make our own choices, but it sure seems clear to me. It’s wild salmon for my family!
