Don’t Take the Bait-Fish is Not a Health Food

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Source PCRM

Have you heard any fishy health claims lately? Fish is touted as a health food all year long, but the hype always seems to increase during Lent, when the fish and fast-food industries ramp up their advertising campaigns. A new PCRM report reveals that when it comes to claims about fish’s health benefits, consumers are being reeled in by myths.

While fish might have a reputation for being a heart-healthy choice, the report shows that these claims are unfounded. High in both saturated fat and cholesterol, some types of fish and shellfish rival red meat for their ill effects on heart health.

A serving of shrimp actually contains more than double the cholesterol in a serving of steak. Fish is also frequently cited as a low-fat food, but PCRM dietitians reveal that more than 50 percent of the calories in Chinook salmon come from fat.

Fish oil, too, is often advertised for its health benefits and hailed as a cure for everything from heart disease to dementia. However, supplementing with fish oil may do more harm than good. A comprehensive Journal of the American Medical Association analysis involving 20 studies and more than 68,000 patients showed no link between fish oil and heart health.

Recent studies have also linked fish oil supplementation to an increased risk for diabetes and prostate cancer.

Additionally, the majority of fish and shellfish in our food supply contain dangerous amounts of toxins. Mercury, which is prevalent in fish, has been linked to serious health consequences, including increased risk for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and overall mortality.

While consuming fish might be a popular choice at this time of year, consumers should stick to healthful plant-based diets and not take the bait.

Read the full report here.

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not healthy for man.
not healthy for fish.
so keep anything with
fins, scales or shells
out of your dish!

Karen Lyons Kalmenson