Salmon
Contents |
[edit] Description
While salmon are born in fresh water, they spend a good portion of their lives in the sea, only to navigate hundreds of miles to return to their birthplace in order to spawn. It's no wonder that these smart and intuitive fish are considered a "brain food."
Salmon are usually classified either as Pacific (Oncorhynchus family) or Atlantic (Salmo family) salmon, according to the ocean in which they are found. There is just one species of Atlantic salmon, while there are five species of Pacific salmon including chinook (or king), sockeye (or red), coho (or silver), pink and chum. Norwegian salmon, a popular type of salmon often offered on restaurant menus, is actually Atlantic salmon that is farm-raised in Norway.
The characteristics of salmon vary with the species. Their colors range from pink to red to orange. In addition, some salmon are richer and fattier than others; for example, chinook and sockeye are fattier fish than pink and chum.
[edit] History
People have been enjoying salmon as a food ever since this beautiful fish appeared in the Earth's waters--basically, since time immemorial.
Like other fish, in addition to being consumed fresh, preservation techniques such as smoking or salting were used to preserve the salmon. Smoked salmon is still considered traditional fare in the cuisines of Scandinavia and the Russian Federation.
Much of the salmon available in today's market comes from the waters of Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, eastern Canada, Norway and Greenland.
[edit] Atlantic Salmon (wild and farmed)
- Wild Atlantic salmon stocks are severely depleted due to over-fishing and are believed to have halved in the last 20 years
- Farmed Atlantic salmon does not offer a good alternative as wild-caught fish are used to make salmon feed
- Salmon are intensively farmed - the resulting diseases spread to wild fish, and chemicals, antibiotics and waste from farms pollute the Environment.
[edit] Health benefits
There are many benefits and uses of salmon oil because it is known to provide long-term advantages in terms of health. Here are some of them listed below:
- Salmon oil is used for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Researchers believe that it is very useful as a measure of protection against heart attack.
- Salmon oil is said to be a very good supply of essential nutrients for the body, as the oil supplements are known to be very beneficial for eyesight.
- Salmon oil is known to reduce the ‘bad’ Cholesterol in the body as it increases the HDL in the blood.
- Inflammation in the body can cause excruciating pain, discomfort and decreased mobility. This is yet another benefit of salmon oil - it helps in reducing the inflammation.
- Salmon oil is also packed with essential fatty acids. These help in the reduction of the symptoms of diseases such as asthma, gallstones, psoriasis, arthritis, atherosclerosis, Crohn’s disease etc.
- Studies have shown that children, who consume fresh salmon fish regularly, have a lower risk of developing Asthma than others who generally avoid the consumption of fish.
- Salmon oil is also known to prevent prostrate cancer.
- It also helps in the reducing the chances of breast cancer.
- Research has shown that the right intake of salmon oil also reduces the feeling of Depression. Low levels of the intake have shown high level of depression between people as compared to those who consumed this at least twice a week.
- A high intake of salmon oil is also linked to a decline in the suffering caused by Alzheimer's disease. Low levels of it can cause frequent memory losses later on in life.
- Salmon oil also helps in lowering high blood pressure.
- One of the other benefits of salmon oil is that it reduces the pain caused by menstrual cramps.
[edit] Uses of Salmon Oil
- Omega 3 fish oil has uses that are far reaching. The most popular use of salmon oil is in its role as a natural and effective reliever from pain. It is also one of the safest kinds available. Therefore it is used in numerous Medications. Drugs that used omega 3 fish oil proved to be more effective for people suffering from inflammatory diseases, respiratory diseases etc.
- Salmon oil is also unique because it provides an added boost of omega 3’s compared to any other kind of oil. It is the most complete omega 3 fish oil supplement.
- When taking an intake of salmon oil supplements, moderation is the keyword. These are very useful for brain development and memory function. Salmon oil capsules need to be taken under medical supervision to ensure you have the right balance. In some cases, there have been side effects such as a fishy taste, belching problems and nausea. But with proper instructions, even these can be diminished.
- Salmon oil is a miracle food that helps us maintain a healthy body due to all its beneficial properties. The uses of salmon oil are aplenty and it is only the matter of correct usage that will give us the best effects in the long run.
