Fish: are they safe?

Despite the risks of contaminants, the health benefits of consuming fish exceed the risks. This information, which was published in the October 18 issue of Journal of the American Medical Association, was based on reviews of all current research from scientific sources.

Fish is a healthy food because it contains two Omega-3 fatty acids called EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). However, farmed fish and fish from polluted oceans also contain mercury, dioxins, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Some are not sure whether these contaminants actually make fish so unsafe to eat that consumers are better off not eating it. What Dariush Mozaffarian, M.D., Dr.P.H., and Eric B. Rimm, Sc.D., of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston found in their research was that the benefits of eating fish outweigh the risks.

Decrease the risks of toxic pollutants by obtaining fish from unpolluted waters. Do not buy farmed fish, which are always more contaminated with pollutants than are wild-caught fish. Suspect all pet foods of containing farmed fish unless they say otherwise. Suspect all fish oil products of containing farmed fish unless they also say otherwise. Look for products from companies like Nordic Naturals that never use farmed fish. If the label doesn't say wild-caught fish, safely assume it is farmed fish, and do not choose it for your pet.

If your pets are allergic to fish, provide them with Omega 3 fatty acids from flax.