Popular Fish, Tilapia, Contains Potentially Dangerous Fatty Acid Combination

Popular Fish, Tilapia, Contains Potentially Dangerous Fatty Acid Combination

Last week, I posted an article about Tilapia containing potentially dangerous omega 6 fatty acids resulting in increased inflammation. Above article from Science Daily detail the account of the risk.

"The researchers say the combination could be a potentially dangerous food source for some patients with heart disease, arthritis, asthma and other allergic and auto-immune diseases that are particularly vulnerable to an "exaggerated inflammatory response." Inflammation is known to cause damage to blood vessels, the heart, lung and joint tissues, skin, and the digestive tract." (from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080708092228.htm)

During my study with Dr. Andrew Weil, I found above statement to be absolutely a true statement. Inflammation has become a rampant epidemic resulting in causing so much health problems in the developed countries. This has been made worse by the use of the industrial farming practices combined with our business modeling focused on the lowest price doctrine.

As a result, we pay heavily on the treatment side as a society and as members of the society. The solution is not simple; it involves consumer consciousness which must educate the industry. Organic is a good start, but not good enough; we need to be mindful of nutritional contents of the food. Salmon not enough - you need to know that it is either Organic fed with high omega 3 fatty acids feed or from the nature without heavy metal toxins.

John Kim, MD MPH
Director
www.georgiaintegrative.com