Are There Heavy Metals in Salmon

Seafood gets a bad rap. Too often, all fish are associated with scary stories of heavy metals and the damage they cause. But, what are heavy metals? Copper, nickel, iron, cadmium, lead, zinc, arsenic, and mercury are all dense toxins that pose big health risks if consumed in high quantities. These heavy metals are found in the ocean and, in turn, the fish that we consume. 

Though heavy metals in fish are possible, the American Heart Association, the FDA, and many other medical organizations recommend eating fish at least a few times each week. This is because not all fish have the same risk for heavy metals, and the benefits of eating fish far outweigh the potential dangers. And, lucky for all of us, salmon is one of the lower risk category seafood options! 

So, today, we’re going to discuss the issue of heavy metals. This post will help you make the right seafood choices for you and your family. That way, you’ll get all the nutritional, tasty goodness while keeping your peace of mind. By the end of this article, you’ll know there’s no need to fear indulging in this healthy seafood delicacy. 

Are There Heavy Metals in Salmon

Heavy metals find their way into our ocean in a variety of ways. Both man-made and natural causes dump heavy metals into our precious waterways. This raises the amount of mercury, lead, and other concerning pollutants to dangerous levels in some species of fish.  

According to Healthline Media, heavy metals can cause all sorts of problems, from memory loss and nerve damage to coordination issues and high blood pressure. And high levels of mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium can cause permanent damage if not treated. So, it goes without saying that these heavy metals are bad news. 

But, again, despite this, medical advice encourages fish consumption. This is because with a little research and a quality fish producer, you don’t have to worry at all about these scary facts! Though no food can be considered 100% risk-free, there are plenty of safe and tasty choices.

Fish and shellfish like salmon, shrimp, tilapia, and crab are great choices to get your recommended services of fish without risking heavy metal poisoning. Fish like king mackerel, marlin, shark, swordfish, and bigeye tuna have the highest amount of heavy metals and should be avoided if possible. 

So, is eating fish safe? Of course! With research, the right fish selection, and a great seller like Oshēn Salmon, you can be assured your fish is the highest quality product with the lowest possible risks. 

Who is at risk?

Though anyone can get heavy metal poisoning, there are a few demographics that the Mayo Clinic and other medical organizations say should reduce their consumption of fish. Children and pregnant women are the main demographic that should avoid eating lots of fish and seafood, especially if it’s on the “do not eat” list we mentioned above. 

This caution is due to the fact that high levels of heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants can have long term health effects on developing brains. These metals can cause permanent damage to children and lead to birth defects and miscarriage in pregnant women. 

But, if you’re pregnant or have children and can’t imagine giving up your delicious menu of seafood and fish, don’t fret! You can continue to consume small levels of safe-to-eat fish like salmon! The heart, brain, and body benefits will continue to help you and your children, while posing almost imperceptible risks of heavy metal poisoning. 

So, if you’ve already added salmon into your diet, keep up the great work! You are making a great decision for the health of you and your family. 

Why is salmon a safer seafood option?

As we’ve discussed, certain types of fish are too risky to consume. But, salmon and many other popular seafood products are totally safe! Mercury and other heavy metal contaminants like to latch onto big predators and often ignore smaller fish like salmon and shrimp. Because of this, salmon is a safe seafood selection! 

Additionally, salmon from fish farms have more controlled diets and currents that prevent the growth of toxins. So, ocean-farmed Alaskan salmon like ours is not only sustainable, delicious, and nutrient dense, but it’s also safe.

Benefits of Eating Salmon

We’ve talked a lot about the risks associated with eating fish, but have only briefly mentioned all the health benefits! As we stated earlier, medical experts agree that the health gains from consuming safe fish like wild and farmed salmon far outweigh the potential dangers. 

Here are the main benefits of eating high-quality salmon:

The omega-3 fatty acids and proteins in salmon help reduce the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. They do this by keeping arteries clear, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, and regulating the heartbeat. 

Here’s another place the omega-3 fatty acids shine! Eating salmon slows cognitive decline, reduces inflammation, improves concentration, prevents mood disorders, fights memory loss, increases brain matter, and produces vital neurotransmitters - wow! It can even help you retain more information with ease and ease symptoms of ADHD. 

Salmon has lots of fitness benefits for those of you looking to lose weight or gain muscle mass. The proteins build and repair muscles, the omega-3s aid in exercise, and the niacin transforms food into energy. Plus, the iron supports muscle metabolism, and the glutamate produces energy. All the things you need for a great workout and tons of physical health progress. 

For all the ladies out there, eating salmon can help you with some female-specific ailments. The omega-3 fatty acids help ease menstrual pain, postpartum blues, bloating, and metabolism issues. Through its B vitamins, salmon will also improve your hair, skin, and nails. And, if that wasn’t enough, it can also lower your risk for miscarriage, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and osteoporosis. The benefits just never end! 

If you’d like additional information about the benefits of salmon, check out our blog! We post new content weekly.

Though some fish contain dangerous levels of heavy metals, delicious and nutritious Alaskan salmon is one of the least risky seafood options.

You have the right to know the dangers that come with the food you eat. This makes you a responsible consumer focused on health and safety. And that’s a great thing! Heavy metals are risky and dangerous in certain fish species. But the good news is, you won’t have to take salmon off the menu. Ocean farmed salmon like ours here at Oshēn is delectable, nutritious, and totally safe to eat as they contain low levels of all heavy metals. 

Now that you know salmon is a safe seafood pick for anyone pursuing a healthy diet, it’s time to jump in! Start your seafood journey with our two pack fresh salmon boxes, Date Night or Entertainer. Or, if you’re ready to go all in, grab the Oshēn’s Twelve that’s packed with a dozen salmon filets! (Oh, and don’t forget to use code FRESH at checkout for 15% off your first purchase.) You’ll be amazed at how good you’ll feel when you make a sustainable, healthy, and safe protein choice for you and your family!