Monday, April 30, 2007

Fish a healthy food?

I saw on MSN's website an article about the safety of fish. Fish has been said by a lot of people to be beneficial to health as compared to meat - high protein, low fat, and high in omega 3 fatty acids. Even some people call themselves "vegetarians" when they eat fish and exclude meat from their diet, although they aren't.

Unfortunately many people are blinded to the fact that nowadays, fish contains dangerous contaminants in them, and are not healthy anymore. One of the contaminants that can be found in fish is mercury. This element is toxic and linked to neurological problems in developing children. Because of it's toxicity, I doubt developmental problems is the only effect mecury can have in our bodies.

In the article, it was said that research says that the benefits of fish consumption outweigh the risks. How true is that I certainly do not know. Fish, being high in omega 3 fatty acids helps lower the risk of contracting heart disease. But we all know that a pack of cigarette a day is suicide-the-slow-way, will eating mecury in small doses everyday have the same effect?

The article lists some of the fishes with lower mecury content, but I believe, the safest choice would be to abstain from fish. Try organic flax seeds (ground) or organic flax seed oil (cold-pressed) instead if you are looking to boost your omega 3 fatty acids intake. To lower the risk of contracting heart diseases, reduce consumption of animal products, which are high in saturated fats and cholesterol.

To read the article, click here

9 comments:

Fredrik said...

I'm always frustrated when a researcher has, yet again, proved that omega-3 is good for us, and the press immediately writes articles named "FISH is good for ...". They always assume that omega-3 equals fish.

I have yet to see an omega-3 article take up the question of human responsibility for preserving our dying oceans, and to present alternatives, like the vegan-DHA.

Anonymous said...

It was just a few days ago that the lady in the office came to ask me, "Are you still vegetarian? Do you eat fish?"

I don't know how she thought that eating fish is still considered as vegetarian.

--jn

dreamy said...

:D yes! Things are interdependent, that's what I like about vegetarianism cuz it can link health and environment together.

Oh, that happened in SG? I thought a lot of SGeans should understand what veg means.. What did you say to her then jn?

Anonymous said...

jn: No I don't eat fish. You call yourself vegetarian even if you eat fish?
her: No. I'm not vegetarian. Do you eat eggs?
jn: Sometimes, but I try to avoid them. Vegans don't eat eggs or use any animal products.

Additional info: She already knew I am a vegetarian a few mths ago and had been asking my "confirmation" whtr I am still a vegetarian a few times. But I guess she just feel its a fad that will die off. There are some other non-vegetarians in the office that had asked me quite a few times, "Are you still a vegetarian?"

--jn

dreamy said...

Oh..maybe you should tell them you are vegetarian for life? :) Last time when I announce my going veg to my friends, one of them asked me if I am doing it for a short while or for life. I guess that's cuz there are some people out there who go veg for a short while to lose weight or detox or smth..

Anonymous said...

Oh true also. I didn't actually declare that I will be vegetarian for life. But I told them the reason to be vegetarian is because I love animals. Initially they thought I became Buddhist. I told them I am free thinker.
--jn

dreamy said...

Ooo.. people also associate Buddhist = vegetarian. But this is not the case, a lot of Buddhists are not vegetarian, although vegetarianism is encouraged.

Anonymous said...

Btw, my father always told me that Siamese Buddhist monks are not vegetarian? Is this true? Or is he making this up to justify that he should not become a vegetarian? :P

dreamy said...

Hahaha... maybe u should show ur dad the moon pointer website?
http://www.moonpointer.com/vege/.htm
Anyway the answer to your question is answered on slide 3. Because they have to go on alms rounds and accept any food people offer to them.

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