Some Kinds of Fish You Should Never Eat

Let’s talk about fish! Full of healthy omega-3, protein, and essential nutrients….... 

It can be the secret to a happy heart and a well-oiled body. But before you take a bite, there's something you need to know. 

Not all fish is equal, and choosing the wrong fish can actually do more harm than good. 

So today, we’ll dive into 7 fish you should never eat… as well as some of the best fish options… Plus important tips to follow when it comes to buying fish. We’ll also reveal a common fish that lives up to 150 years. and is very popular on restaurant menus.But we suggest you stay away from this one.

Because if a fish is 150 years old, it has been accumulating toxins all that time. And once those toxins get into your blood system… 

They wreak havoc in the body and brain. But before we dig in, can you do us a favor guarantee both you and  your heart will love them! 

 

Tilapia 

Tilapia is one of the most popular fish in the United States. However, there's one key reason to think twice about eating.

Tilapia:  Its omega-6 to omega-3 ratio.Omega-6 and omega-3 are essential  fatty acids that the body needs. 

However, too much omega-6 and not enough omega-3  leads to inflammation, high blood pressure, and increased heart disease risk. Unfortunately, tilapia is high in omega-6 and low in omega-3. In fact, tilapia has one of the worst omega-6 to omega-3 ratios of any fish. Even more alarming, imported tilapia often falls short of safety standards. 

The US FDA flagged a number of exporters for regularly sending tilapia with  unacceptable levels of harmful chemicals. Some of these chemicals are used  to control parasites in fish farms,  however they can be carcinogenic and  have been banned in many countries.Yet, some fish farmers continue to  use them and sell under the radar. Similarly, imported tilapia may contain  high levels of antibiotics. 

 

The overuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic-resistance,  which is a growing problem in human health. So, next time you're considering tilapia  for a healthy fish option, think again.

King Mackerel 

While other types of Mackerel are considered  healthy, King Mackerel should be avoided.One of the main concerns with king  mackerel is high levels of mercury. Mercury is a toxic metal that accumulates,  leading to serious health problems such as: 

* Neurological damage * Kidney problems* and developmental delays in children. King mackerel, in particular, is known to have high levels of mercury compared to other fish. King Mackerel is a predatory fish. That means it’s at the top of the  food chain and consumes other fish. 

Because of this, they accumulate more toxins  over time… Such as PCBs and other toxins.Even if a chemical has been banned for decades,  it can still persist in the environment and accumulate in the fatty tissues of these fish. Which is why King Mackerel should be avoided. 

As mentioned, we’re only talking  about KING mackerel here.There are a number of types of mackerel. Other types, such as Atlantic Mackerel and Atka Mackerel, are lower in mercury and  higher in inflammation-fighting omega-3 fats. Atlantic and Atka Mackerel  are all-round healthy fish.

  

Orange Roughy 

This “slimehead” can live up to a whopping 150 years. They don’t mature until around 30 years old, So if you choose this fish, you’ll  likely be eating a 30 year old fish Which has accumulated toxins over those years. 

This can lead to higher levels of contaminants such as mercury, which as we  discussed, is harmful to humans.While mercury is the most discussed contaminant,  Orange Roughy can have all sorts of other toxins that have landed in the ocean throughout history. For example, a 2004 expedition collected orange roughy ranging from 1 year to 139 years old.

When scientists analysed the fish, they found concentrations of mercury,  arsenic, cadmium, and lead. 

These are known as “The Big 4” when  it comes to heavy metal poisoning.When we eat these toxins, they  work their way towards fatty tissue. And that’s where they accumulate. They attach to fat and cause inflammation…  

Decreasing cell function… causing fatigue…  brain fog… depression… As well as causing inflammation to artery walls… Which  is a major driver of heart disease. Interestingly, one study found that male Orange  Roughy have higher contamination than females… 

 

Possibly because females eliminate some of  their contaminants when they release eggs.Another concern is that Orange Roughyis an overfished species, which means that its populations are  being depleted as a result of overfishing.

This depletion is a major problem for biodiversity  loss and the disruption of ocean ecosystems. Ok, we’ve talked about mercury, so let’s  quickly run over the other high mercury fish to stay away.

* Swordfish * Shark * And Tilefish 

These are all known to contain high levels of mercury due to  their long lifespan and predatory nature. 

Before the 1950s, little was known about mercury  poisoning… until researchers started investigating high death rates in specific populations. Today, researchers know that mercury in fish is linked to increased cardiovascular disease, immune  system dysfunction, and endocrine disruption. 

It’s worth noting that the Mediterranean  basin is known to have abnormally high levels of mercury in their fish… compared  to fish caught in the Atlantic ocean. That’s because the Mediterranean  is believed to contain around 50% of the world’s mercury resources. 

According to the journal of Environmental Research, the Mediterranean basin has been studied  for over 20 years due to this phenomenon… where fish contain higher levels of mercury compared  to the same species in the Atlantic Ocean. 

 

A similar effect occurs with sea birds… where eggs  from the Mediterranean basin contain 3-4 times as much mercury as those in the Atlantic. Ironically, this is exactly where The island of Sardinia is located… One of the world’s 5 blue zones… 

Where people live the longest and have lower  rates of disease than anywhere else in the world. People eat a moderate amount  of fish on the island But it tends to be smaller fish  like sardines, anchovies, and cod… 

Toxins

Which are younger and in the middle  of the food chain… thus have lower levels of mercury and other toxins. As we’ll get to shortly, those are among the indicators to look for when choosing fish. Now, before we get to our final fish to avoid… 

However, the major problem with eel is that they  absorb so many toxins from their environment.For example, a study published in the  scientific journal Chemosphere found that dye from clothing and textile industries  makes its way into the tissue of eels.

Which is then be passed on to  humans if they eat the eel. Researchers took eels from 91 locations  in Belgian rivers, canals and lakes… and tissue analysis found that 77% of the sites had  contamination from highly toxic clothing dyes. 

In Taiwan, eel populations have been found to  contain alarming levels of cadmium poisoning, A heavy metal from the electroplating industry. This cadmium poisoning is associated with osteomalacia… where bones become soft and weak… As well as renal tubular malfunction a type of kidney failure.

 

Other studies found flame retardants and plasticizers in eels destined for eating. Finally, eating eel is not sustainable.Many eel species are endangered and their  populations have been significantly depleted due to overfishing and habitat destruction.

Eel Fish

A trend that’s accelerating as sushi and Japanese eel dishes become more  and more popular around the world.

 

Some eel species, like the European eel, are  protected under international conventions.Artificial eel reproduction  programs have failed, and as a result eel populations continue to decline. So that’s the worst fish that should be avoiding… 

 Now for the good news… there are a number of  fish options that are brilliant for health. Let’s discuss them now. Healthier Fish Options Some of the healthiest fish  to put on your plate include: * Salmon * Tuna * Sardines * Anchovies * Cod * and trout. 

These fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids,  which reduce inflammation, lower the risk of heart disease, and improve brain health. They are also a good source of protein and other essential nutrients. 

Most importantly, all except some tuna are  low in mercury and other contaminants. Tuna is a good source of potassium, magnesium and vitamin B12. But older and larger tuna can have high mercury to minimize your exposure, opt for  smaller, younger tuna, such as skipjack.

skipjack

Skipjack is often used in canned  tuna, so keep an eye out for that.Wild Caught vs Farmed Fish Wild-caught fish live their natural habitat, while farmed fish are raised  in man-made environments such as ponds or cages. 

It’s important to understand that the  health profile of each is vastly different.Wild caughtsalmon for example, is  higher in omega-3 and lower in omega-6, Which is important for preventing  inflammation and associated damage.

Wild caught also tends to contain fewer  contaminants, pesticides, and antibiotics. 

As we mentioned, these can  cause problems when we eat them Especially the growing problem  of antibiotic-resistance.So we recommend buying wild  caught whenever possible. 

You’ll know the difference because wild caught  salmon has a deeper red-orange color than farmed. And if you see the whole fish… wild caught  will have a large fanned tail from swimming against currents…as opposed to a  farmed fish with a small tail from hanging out in a caged pool all its life. And if you’re buying white fish fillets, look for firm flesh and a translucent white color. 

As they have  less time to build up contaminants.After all, a 5 year old salmon simply  hasn’t had time to accumulate toxins like that 100 year old Orange Roughy. So there you have it, 7 kinds of fish you should never eat… 

 

Tilapia 

King Mackerel 

Orange Roughy 

Swordfish

Shark 

Tilefish 

Eel 

Opt instead for low contaminant wild caught  Salmon, Sardines, Anchovies, Cod, and Trout…And take care with tuna… opting for  skipjack or limiting your consumption.