The first mistake that people make is assuming nutrition is easy to understand. There is not a person alive or an entire industry that goes untouched by nutrition everyday. Nutrition innervates politics, health care, and economics, on a global level. It also is a significant contributor to culture, survival and life experiences associated with food and illness .As with everything associated with the body it is complicated. Yet in its intricacies it is beautifully simple
The word prescription is associated with an authoritative recommendation often given by a health care provider. When a doctor prescribes drugs, most individuals heed their advice and comply with the medical instruction. It is assumed that prescription drugs are a remedy for an ailment and for some of them it is true. Unfortunately, many prescription drugs are simply a symptomatic band-aid concealing a much bigger health issue. The chemicals in the drugs work to inhibit biological mechanisms that are linked with specific symptoms. Blood thinners, such as Coumadin, provide a good example of this interplay. These drugs work to thin the blood by blocking the recycling of vitamin K, the micronutrient used to perpetuate the clotting cascade. These drugs are effective at decreasing the likelihood of blood clot formation by the inhibition of a natural pathway. However, using this method of treatment does not address the causation. Blood clots are formed when damage to the epithelial tissue of the vasculature occurs. This is usually initiated by free radicle activity. Plant based foods possess chemicals that work within the body's pathways with a synergistic design. Foods high in antioxidants deactivate free radicles by stabilizing their molecular state. Nitric oxide, a gaseous hormone like chemical found in foods such as arugula, beets and celery, have the ability to stimulate vasodilation and tissue repair. Both of these approaches decrease the need for internal coagulation by removing the cause. Eating foods that are high in nutrients allows the body to correct the origin of an imbalance and bring itself back to homeostasis (balance). This occurs without the obstruction of biological pathways or undesirable side effects. When the interaction between food and the body is understood it becomes obvious that nutrient dense foods deserve to be included under the umbrella of what is regarded as prescription medication.
Including wild caught fish in the diet is one of the few ways to include two protective omega 3 fatty acids in the diet, DHA and EPA. The other way is to eat foods that have been fortified or take a supplement. If you don't eat fish because of an allergy or food preference it is suggested to take a supplement containing these fatty acids. Fish derive these fatty acids from an algae they eat in the wild. Farm raised fish do not have this algae in their diet and therefore have extremely low concentrations, if any. Many people take fish oil supplements for the omega 3 fatty acids in hopes of benefiting from their anti-inflammatory effects. If you eat fish then it is best to simply include wild caught fish in the diet. Everyone has to eat anyway so our meals should provide our body with the nutrients it needs instead of relying on supplements. If you don't eat fish because you don't enjoy the taste taking fish oil often times has the same aftertaste you are trying to avoid. People with allergies or practicing a vegetarian diet also must seek substitute sources of DHA and EPA. The best alterative for these individuals is to take DHA and EPA straight from the source. Algae supplements are available for people not able to eat fish for whatever reason or wishing to increase their intake of health promoting fats. As always, eating food in its whole form is superior to supplementation and including fish in the diet, if possible, has the potential to add nutrients and endless combinations of flavors.
There is often a negative stigma surrounding frozen food because it is assumed that it is not fresh. Fresh means unspoiled and the best way to prevent spoilage is through freezing. This is especially true for people that geographically do not have access to wild caught seafood. Preservation through freezing also allows for longer storage. This increases the convenience of having a quick and healthy meal.
Assuming you do enjoy fish there are several other things to consider including mercury levels and sustainability. Mercury is a metal that unfortunately has found its way into our ocean water. If ingested it has the ability to reek havoc on cellular function causing a shift from homeostasis and often times irreversible damage. Because of over fishing many species of fish have seen a significant drop in population. Although this does not directly effect the nutrients we find on our plate when serving fish presently, it does have the potential to become a reality. We must try to be more forward thinking when making food choices to ensure everyone, current and future, has the resources to eat a healthy diet.
There is often a negative stigma surrounding frozen food because it is assumed that it is not fresh. Fresh means unspoiled and the best way to prevent spoilage is through freezing. This is especially true for people that geographically do not have access to wild caught seafood. Preservation through freezing also allows for longer storage. This increases the convenience of having a quick and healthy meal.
Assuming you do enjoy fish there are several other things to consider including mercury levels and sustainability. Mercury is a metal that unfortunately has found its way into our ocean water. If ingested it has the ability to reek havoc on cellular function causing a shift from homeostasis and often times irreversible damage. Because of over fishing many species of fish have seen a significant drop in population. Although this does not directly effect the nutrients we find on our plate when serving fish presently, it does have the potential to become a reality. We must try to be more forward thinking when making food choices to ensure everyone, current and future, has the resources to eat a healthy diet.
