Good News for Farm-Raised vs Fresh Salmon

In recent years, many people have asked me questions regarding the benefits of farm-raised salmon vs. wild salmon. Both wild and farm raised salmon contain high concentrations of omega 3 fatty acids. A meta-analysis by Moxaffarian and Rimm found that consuming omega 3 fatty acids is a very healthy for the body and could lower sudden cardiac death by 36% and saves 120,000 lives each year! The American Heart Association http://www.americanheart.org states that research has shown omega-3 fatty acids:

• decrease risk of arrhythmia, which can lead to sudden cardiac death
• decrease triglyceride levels
• decrease growth rate of atherosclerotic plaque
• lower blood pressure (slightly)
  

The dietary guidelines Advisory Committee http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines recommends that healthy adults consume 8 oz of fish each week with the objective of injesting 500 mg/day of omega 3's. The fish highest in omega 3 fatty acids is salmon. Wild salmon has a little more omega 3 fatty acid than the farm raised. However, either fish will provide the proper amount of essential fatty acids for the week. So, the answer to the question is a big "yes"! Eat salmon whether it is farm raised or wild however try to eat the wild when it is available and reasonable priced. Other fish with omega three fatty acids include: mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, and albacore tuna (which recommended no more than twice per week).