The Pros and Cons of Eating Fish 
With everyone clamoring for sushi these days, it is important to know the pros and cons of eating so much fish. Fish has been found to be a good source of a number of important nutrients, but there are some thing that you must consider if you choose to implement a fish-heavy diet in your life. If you enjoy eating fish, you could be protecting yourself from heart problems. The American Heart Association has recommended that you eat fish twice a week to help protect you from cardiovascular disease. They especially tout the benefits of consuming fatty fish, such as mackerel, albacore tuna, salmon, and sardines, among others. The reason why doctors encourage the consumption of fish is because it contains two types of omega-3 fatty acids that are excellent for your health. Omega-3 has been found to promote circulatory system health because they stimulate blood circulation, and may lower blood pressure. Also, omega-3 contributes to the breakdown of fibrin, the buildup of which can lead to blood clots. Lastly, some preliminary studies have shown that they may protect against cancer as well. Most fish contain two different types of omega-3, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The reason why fish are such a good source of these two substances are that omega-3 is usually pretty difficult to acquire, and they are present in fish in a fairly concentrated amount. You can also take fish oil pills if you do not eat enough fish to naturally ingest omega-3 fatty acids. If you are looking for a fish high in omega-3, salmon is one of your best choices, followed by pollock and flounder or sole. However, eating too much fish can also be detrimental to your health if you have it too much. Fish tends to be at risk for carrying mercury, which can be especially harmful for pregnant women, causing birth defects in their unborn babies. Additionally, some farmed fish, especially salmon, has been show to have high levels of dioxins and PCBs. These are chemical by-products of industrial processes that can cause liver damage and developmental problems in children. Because mercury builds up and transfers from animal to animal, fish higher up the food chain can carry higher levels of the toxin than lower-level consumers. Big fish, such shark, king mackerel, orange roughy, and swordfish usually have more mercury in their systems than things like tilapia, salmon, whitefish, and freshwater trout. Lastly, some people are choosing to take fish oil supplements for their healthy fatty acids rather than eating the animals themselves. This is because many species are in danger of being overfished, and other things like habitat destruction is leading to a loss of a number of aquatic animals. However, you can check to see the populations levels of fish or you can turn to consuming farm-raised fish to help protect the environment and its denizens. For more information on healthy eating habits, delicious recipes, and other health-related topics, check out the interesting and informative Health Directory today.