Eating Tilapia Is Worse Than Eating Bacon

Eating Tilapia Is Worse Than Eating Bacon - Dr.
Axe 1/1/20, 4(31 PM
We all have the notion that eating -sh would be the better option
over bacon when it comes to health. And the truth is, it really is …
most of the time! Fish is a low-fat, high-protein food that has a
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Eating Tilapia Is Worse Than Eating Bacon - Dr. Axe 1/1/20, 4(31 PM
range of health bene-ts. However, given what we know of -sh and its
sources today, we may have to re-examine this statement.
Fish can either be one of the best foods for you or detrimental to
your health depending on where it’s sourced. There is a world of
difference between a -sh that is caught in the wild vs. farm-bred or
farm-raised 1sh. The most common farm-raised -sh are: salmon,
tilapia, cat-sh, swai, “sea” bass, and cod (the last two surprise a lot
of people).
Tilapia, in particular, became extremely popular in aquaculture and

aquaponics across Asia, Mexico, Central America and the U.S.
because it grows very quickly, is tolerant of stocking density and is
adaptable.
So what’s wrong with that? Well, it all depends on how the fresh or
frozen tilapia -lets were raised … and where. What are the exact
dangers of eating farm-raised -sh?
6 Reasons Tilapia Farming Is

Dangerous to Your Health
1. Recent studies have found that farm-raised tilapia may
cause more inWammation
Farm-raised tilapia has always been a popular source for -sh, not
only because it’s widely available in the U.S., but it’s also very
inexpensive. (1) However, before you stock up on tilapia, you may
want to know about its correlation to inWammation. Recent studies
have shown that eating tilapia may worsen in3ammation, which
can lead to heart disease, arthritis, asthma and a world of other
serious health problems.
People who resort to eating more -sh as a way to get their dose of
omega-3 fatty-acids and lessen their risk of heart attacks may want
to hold off on the tilapia. In fact, a scientist from Wake Forest
University has found that the inWammatory potential of tilapia is far
greater than that of a hamburger or pork bacon, and therefore make
it a 1sh you shouldn’t eat. (2)
2. Farmed salmon may have at least 10 times the amount

of cancer-causing organic pollutants compared to the
wild variety
This can most likely be attributed to the feeds that are used on
farm-raised -sh. If you knew what went into the feeds of farm-raised
-sh, you would be horri-ed. Apparently, chicken feces is one of the
main ingredients that go into farm -sh feed. Not only that, the
transfer of pig and duck waste to -sh farms is also a very common
practice, such as with Chinese tilapia.
3. Farm-bred -sh have been found to have high

concentrations of antibiotics and pesticides
Where do farm-bred -sh get their antibiotics? The crowded
conditions of -sh farms cause the -sh to be more susceptible to
disease. To keep them alive, farm owners give antibiotics to the -sh
to stave off disease — similar to what occurs in con-ned feedlot
operations for cattle. (3)
Farm-bred -sh, such as Chinese tilapia, are also treated with

pesticides to combat sea lice. The pesticides used to treat these -sh
are so deadly that they will kill wild salmon that are accidentally
exposed to them. These pesticides are also eventually released in
the ocean, where they get into the bodies and systems of other
marine life.
4. Farm-bred -sh also have lower levels of healthy

nutrients
Many of us consume -sh, hoping to reap the omega-3 fatty acid
bene1ts that come with it. However, did you know that the omega-
3-acids that are found in farm-raised -sh are less usable in our
bodies compared to wild-bred -sh? Farm-raised -sh also has a
lower protein content.
Not only that, because farm-raised -sh are kept in cages, they have
the tendency to be fattier, and can have a higher concentration of
omega-6 acids. The problem with getting too many omega-3 and
omega-6 acids is that they, again, may cause inWammation to the

body.
5. Dibutylin levels, a chemical used in PVC plastics, is said

to be six times higher in farm-raised mussels compared
to wild ones
Dibutylin is toxic and can impair immune system function while also
contributing to inWammation. Dibutylin may be the reason as to why
there is a rise in asthma, obesity, allergies and other metabolic
disorders in recent years. (4, 5)
6. Dioxin levels are 11 times higher in farm-bred salmon

compared to wild salmon
According to the Environmental Working Group, the “-rst-ever tests
of farmed salmon from U.S. grocery stores show that farmed salmon
are likely the most [dioxin-like] PCB-contaminated protein source in
the U.S. food supply.” (6) Dioxin is actually a very toxic chemical that
can contribute to cancer and other complications. The problem with
dioxin is that once it enters our system, it can take a very long time
until it leaves. Grimly, the half-life of dioxin is about 7 to 11 years!
7. Excessive mercury levels among even lake-grown 1sh and

especially dangerous for pregnant women
In a study by Dr. J.K. McCrary published in the Environmental

Pollution journal, total mercury concentrations in the water and -sh
of Lake Managua and Lake Apoyo were measured. A considerable
one-fourth of the commercially -shed tilapia in Lake Managua
exceeded maximum recommended mercury levels for consumption

among pregnant women and other at-risk groups. (7) As a result,
the study recommended much closer mercury monitoring among
freshwater -sh that is meant for international commerce.
These are only some of the dangers that have been linked back to
eating farm-raised -sh. What does this tell us? No. 1, we need to -nd
out where our -sh is coming from. Not all -sh are created equal, and
sad to say, farm-raised -sh, instead of helping us, may even harm
us.
Related: Vegetable Recall Announced By Whole Foods Market
History of Tilapia, Tilapia Facts + Types of Tilapia
The common name for nearly a 100 species of cichlid -sh, it comes
from three distinct genera: Oreochromis, Sarotherodon and Tilapia.
Mainly a freshwater -sh, tilapia live in shallow streams, ponds, rivers
and lakes — and adapt well to being farmed.
Historically, tilapia became popular in so-called artisanal -shing in

Africa and soon became popular in aquaculture and aquaponics
outside of Africa. Because North African tilapia grow quickly, are
tolerant of stocking density and are adaptable. In modern
aquaculture, the wild-type Nile tilapia (the healthiest variety) are not
too often seen, because the dark color of their Wesh is considered
undesirable by many customers.
Tilapia are farmed extensively in many parts of Asia and the U.S.
They are increasingly found in outdoor -sh farms in tropical
countries like as China, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and
Indonesia. In temperate zone climates, such as in U.S., tilapia farming

operations need energy in order to warm the water to tropical
temperatures. (8)
The largest tilapia producers in the world are China, then Egypt (!).
Currently, it’s the fourth most consumed -sh in the U.S.
Going way back, the aquaculture using Nile tilapia began in Ancient
Egypt. In fact, tilapia is considered one of the three main types of -sh
caught from the Sea of Galilee during Biblical times.
Today, the three most commonly -shed and eaten species of tilapia
are Nile, Blue and Mozambique. Oreochromis niloticus, or Nile Tilapia,
are the oldest variety of tilapia.
Nile Tilapia is one of the most adaptable -sh, as it can be raised in

various ways, such as ponds and in pristine lakes — and can be one
of the most sustainable farmed -sh. The best fresh tilapia eaten in
the U.S. is all-natural (not using chemicals or antibiotics) and lake-
grown. Most lake-grown tilapia actually comes from Honduras or
Mexico. (9)
Therefore, if you ever do eat tilapia, make sure you ask were it was
raised. Seafood Watch recommends to “buy tilapia (“izumidai” in
sushi) farmed worldwide in recirculating aquaculture systems,
Ecuador in ponds and Peru in raceways.” (10)
Blue Tilapia is found in Florida’s lakes, rivers and streams — and it

can live both in saltwater and freshwater. Because it doesn’t grow as
quickly as Nile Tilapia, it’s not as commonly farmed. Meanwhile,
Mozambique Tilapia was introduced into the U.S. for sport -shing and
as a means of aquatic plant control.
Farmed Shrimp: the Dirtiest of All Seafood
There are a lot of shrimp nutrition facts, but shrimp actually holds
the designation of being “the dirtiest of all seafood,” says Marianne
Cufone, director of Food and Water Watch. She says it’s hard to
avoid, as 90 percent of shrimp sold in the U.S. is imported. (11)
“Imported farmed shrimp comes with a whole bevy of contaminants:

antibiotics, residues from chemicals used to clean pens, -lth like
mouse hair, rat hair, and pieces of insects,” Cufone says. “And I didn’t
even mention things like E. coli that have been detected in imported
shrimp.”
Part of this has to do with the fact that less than 2 percent of ALL
imported seafood (shrimp, crab, cat-sh or others) gets inspected
before its sold, which is why it’s that much more important to buy
domestic seafood.
What to Eat Instead of Tilapia Recipes
Fish can be an incredible health-building food if you go with wild-

caught -sh liked sockeye salmon, which has proven health
bene1ts. It’s loaded with healthy fats and can help your brain, joints,
muscles and skin!
But rather than buying cheap, frozen tilapia -lets, a better option that
is both inexpensive and easy to make is a homemade salmon
patties recipe that is high in omega-3 fats and protein.
Plus, salmon contains astaxanthin, which has been proven to be

more powerful than almost any other antioxidant at absorbing free
radicals. If you are not consuming salmon or another wild-caught
-sh during the week, then I highly recommend you consume a
bene1t-rich 1sh oil supplement with astaxanthin.
When I eat out, I also ask my server if the -sh is farm-raised or wild-
caught. Most servers know this answer or can quickly go ask the
head chef. As a quick rule of thumb for salmon, if it’s Paci-c or
Alaskan, it’s most likely wild-caught; if it’s Atlantic salmon, it’s almost
always farm-raised.
Read Next: 17 Fish You Should Never Eat

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Eating Tilapia Is Worse Than Eating Bacon - Dr.

Axe 1/1/20, 4(31 PM

Tilapia, in particular, became extremely popular in aquaculture and

6 Reasons Tilapia Farming Is

2. Farmed salmon may have at least 10 times the amount

3. Farm-bred -sh have been found to have high

Farm-bred -sh, such as Chinese tilapia, are also treated with

4. Farm-bred -sh also have lower levels of healthy

omega-6 acids is that they, again, may cause inWammation to the

5. Dibutylin levels, a chemical used in PVC plastics, is said

6. Dioxin levels are 11 times higher in farm-bred salmon

7. Excessive mercury levels among even lake-grown 1sh and

In a study by Dr. J.K. McCrary published in the Environmental

exceeded maximum recommended mercury levels for consumption

Related: Vegetable Recall Announced By Whole Foods Market

History of Tilapia, Tilapia Facts + Types of Tilapia

Historically, tilapia became popular in so-called artisanal -shing in

Indonesia. In temperate zone climates, such as in U.S., tilapia farming

Nile Tilapia is one of the most adaptable -sh, as it can be raised in

Blue Tilapia is found in Florida’s lakes, rivers and streams — and it

Farmed Shrimp: the Dirtiest of All Seafood

“Imported farmed shrimp comes with a whole bevy of contaminants:

What to Eat Instead of Tilapia Recipes

Fish can be an incredible health-building food if you go with wild-

Plus, salmon contains astaxanthin, which has been proven to be

Read Next: 17 Fish You Should Never Eat

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