5 Tips for Eating HEALTHY FISH!
By Dr. David L Vastola
It stands to reason that eating less meat and more fish is healthier, right? Well maybe not so fast. Last year I had a couple, who were very health conscious and looked it despite their 50 some years, manifest symptoms of Mercury poisoning and their blood levels were three times normal. Why? Because they ate a lot of fish instead of meat and they self-contaminated themselves, so here are five facts that you need to know about in regards to fish.
WAKE UP CALL
The fishing industry is in a disarray thanks to the federal government and their influence through NOAA agency. Seventy-one percent of the world’s fish are being overexploited and 1/3 are illegally caught. The fishing town of Gloucester, Mass., just south of our summer home in Rockport, Mass., only fish three months out of the year and the remaining time are on a government subsidy, drinking beer and watching Greater Tuna! Of course the Canadians, Russians and Chinese fish away all year long. Lastly, 85% of the fish we eat is imported.
GET WITH IT
The two biggest problems in regards to fish are PCB’s that cause cancer and Mercury, a heavy metal that causes a myriad of conditions including brain and nerve degeneration. The Mercury we see in deep water are large fish like Tuna, Swordfish and Mackerel that are predatory. They get contaminated through the process of bio magnification where Mercury is deposited in our oceans from rain that is contaminated by our industrial waste which is airborne. The plants and algae pick it up, are eaten by smaller fish, who are eaten by larger fish, etc., etc., and with each step the mercury levels get higher, hence magnified.
KNOW THE FACTS
The PCB’s we see in our Salmon, are mostly farm fed because the feed is contaminated with a carcinogen and that’s why there is a push for “WILD” Salmon, whatever that is! The only Salmon that I know of being WILD for sure is Irish Salmon so look for it. Even Atlantic Salmon, despite its name, is not, and is farm fed. Canned Salmon and Albacore are good choices and I would encourage you to eat them because of the Omega 3 oils in them, which are very healthy for you.
WHAT IS ALWAYS FORGOTTEN
Many times we are so mentally consumed with these poisons and the fish that we eat, we forget about bacteria. During my residency, I saw a patient with flesh eating bacteria who lost his leg and hand because of it, and I can still smell it to this day. He got it from eating raw oysters. Raw fish or shellfish are dangerous not only because they could be contaminated, but there is also a concern about the food handlers, so don’t eat anything raw including Sushi which I call bait. My one daughter has been sick twice from it, and thanks to dear old dad, she is still alive and well.
DON’T FALL VICTIM
The bottom line, follow these guidelines and if you have any doubts, go on line, www.Fish2Fork.com and get some useful accurate information. Eat only wild Salmon, canned or Sockeye Salmon, large fish such as Swordfish, Tuna and Mackerel only once a month and if potentially childbearing not at all because it can injure the unborn child. Of course cooked shellfish and anchovies are great choices; also so put them in your Caesar salad. The smaller fish are not dangerous like Tile Fish, Cod or Haddock, which is my favorite, with the former being mostly farm raised now.
Bio: Dr. David L Vastola runs a private practice in Palm Beach, Florida, and is often called the “Sherlock Holmes of Medicine” for uncovering problems that other medical professionals missed. He has four books, five children, has been married for thirty-four years, has an assistant lovingly named Patrick the Poodle, and is showcasing a new TV pilot called, Good Health Hunting, at film festivals. His book Fountain of Youth: Nutritional Therapies is due for release in 2015. http://www.yourgoodhealthfl.com/dr-david-vastola/ Represented by Loiacono Literary Agency www.loiaconoliteraryagency.com Published by Carrel Books www.carrelbooks.com