Omega Fatty Acids

I read an interesting article the other day about farmed tilapia fish and Omega fatty acids. The reason this struck me is because my new diet required me to eat tilapia, something I have never eaten before. And I will probably never eat it again.

The article discussed the findings of Omega 6 fatty acids and how tilapia has a high amount of it. Now, you are probably thinking that this isn't a bad thing. Omega fatty acids are supposed to be good for you, right? Well, not this kind. Especially if you suffer from chronic pain.

According to a recent study, Omega 6 fatty acids contribute to inflammation. This is a big problem if you suffer from osteoarthritis or any other illness involving inflammation.

If that isn't bad enough, this inflammatory response is also linked to damage to blood vessels, your heart and lungs and joints. So much for adding fish to your healthy diet. And it isn't just tilapia that's guilty. Catfish that has been farm raised is just as bad.

This isn't to say that eating all fish is bad. Quite the contrary, fish is a very healthy food if you are careful to make the right choices. For example, in another article it is shown that fish that are oily actually improve inflammatory conditions. This is because they contain large amounts of Omega 3 fatty acids. This is the good kind that you want to have in your diet, especially if you suffer from chronic pain. Oily fish are also believed to protect against cancer and reduce macular degeneration.

So, what are good choices for fish in your diet? Try these:
*Salmon
*Mackerel
*Trout
*Sardines
*Tuna
*Swordfish

You can find a complete list at Food Standards Agency in their article What's an Oily Fish.