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October 11 2003
Toxic Pollutants Found in Both Wild and Farmed Salmon

 
Salmon that travel to Alaska’s lakes each year to spawn are filled with harmful toxins known as PCBs. The PCBs accumulate in the salmon as they feed in the ocean and could be harmful to bears, eagles and humans who eat them.

The salmon, which die in the lakes after spawning, then decompose, depositing the PCBs in the lakes’ sediment. The result is that the lakes, which would otherwise be pristine, are accumulating toxins at levels comparable to lakes near highly industrial areas.

Further, commercial salmon fishing in the Northwest is being threatened by the increasing popularity of farm-raised salmon. Salmon farms are driving local fisheries out of business while posing ecological dangers to the area. Escaped farmed salmon, which are often contaminated with sea lice and viruses, pose a threat to natural salmon populations and chemicals and pharmaceuticals from the farms can damage the marine environment.

Nature September 18, 2003

Science Daily September 23, 2003



Dr. MercolaDr. Mercola's Comments:

Not only is it wise to avoid most all fish because of PCBs, but also because of the toxic mercury that contaminates even most ocean-raised fish. Some of you may believe that you will avoid this problem by eating farm-raised salmon. Unfortunately, nearly all farm fish have the same mercury and PCB problem and have much lower amounts of beneficial omega-3 than wild-caught salmon. Almost all fish served in restaurants is farm raised.

Fortunately, you do have viable options for obtaining the nutritious benefits of fish, such as regularly consuming high-quality purified fish oil like the Carlson's brand of fish oil, and enjoying the absolutely delicious Alaskan wild red salmon] from the one source I discovered, through independent lab-testing my team coordinated, to be mercury- and PCB-free and safe.

The diets of most Americans are dangerously low in omega-3, a fat essential to good health but only found in fish oil and a few other foods. I recommend, above almost any other addition to everyone's diet, fish oil and cod liver oil. I have researched and tried many fish oil brands but only recommend Carlson's brand fish oil and cod liver oil as I have found it to be the most superior available. It is purified to the highest standards to be free from mercury and other toxins and is made without chemical modification and processing.

Additionally, early last year we did extensive testing on fish from a company, Vital Choice, that takes the salmon from the interior of Alaska and were surprised and delighted to find that the mercury levels were virtually undetectable. In addition to our test for mercury, Vital Choice has conducted numerous tests on the salmon and has never once detected PCBs.

If you enjoy the delicious taste and immense health benefits of some of the world's finest salmon--Alaskan wild red--but you are concerned about the PCBs, mercury and other toxins now found in dangerous amounts in almost all fish, then please consider trying the Alaskan wild red salmon from Vital Choice that tested safe and is now available in our Web site store. Naturally, this is the only fish that I eat now.

Related Articles:

What You Must Know Before You Eat Fish

Why Farmed Salmon Isn’t Good for You

Dangerous PCBs Found in Salmon

Fish Farms Become Feedlots of the Sea

Mercury-Contaminated Fish Poses Health Risks to Adults

Fish Oil Can Improve Lupus Symptoms

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