Smoked Salmon - Health Benefits of This Wonderful Fish

Smoked Salmon - Health Benefits of This Wonderful Fish
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lynne_Evans]Lynne Evans 

Salmon, both fresh and smoked is a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids which are found in other oily fish such as mackerel. Omega-3 is sadly lacking in a lot of Western diets, but we should try to include foods that contain it as it can help to lower blood pressure, and cholesterol levels in the blood as well as lessening the risk of hemorrhages. It helps to keep the heart healthy and protects against some cancers and it also helps stabilize our moods. It is not an anti-depressant but has some benefits for our state of mental health as it is also high n protein. Omega-3 may also help to reduce the triglycerides, which are types of fat, in our blood which is good news for people with Type II diabetes as they usually have higher levels than normal in their blood.

Smoked salmon is also rich in vitamin E which has anti-inflammatory properties and also has potent antioxidant ones. This means that smoked salmon consumption can help combat the free radicals which cause healthy cells to become cancerous.

Salmon contains bioactive peptides which may help with the maintenance of healthy cartilage around the joints (knees, ankles etc.) and they may also provide support for insulin's effective use by the body and also help control and so lessen inflammation in the digestive tract. One of these bioactive peptides is calcitonin which is produced by the thyroid gland and helps to regulate and stabilize the balance of collagen and minerals in our bones and the tissues which surround and cushion them. Researchers hope to be able to provide conclusive evidence that these bioactive peptides reduce inflammation which would be good news for sufferers from arthritis and rheumatism as well as other inflammatory diseases.

Smoked and fresh salmon contains some of the B-complex vitamins which are necessary for healthy blood and tissue production as well as for nerve function. It also contains the trace element, selenium which works with the vitamin E to protect healthy body cells from toxins and their destructive effects. It may also inhibit the growth and proliferation of cancer cells, although more research is needed to prove whether or not this is the case. Selenium is vital for the healthy functioning of the thyroid gland too and it is found in good amounts in fresh and smoked salmon.

One benefit of eating smoked salmon is that all the parasites and worms are killed in the smoking process, so it is safe to be eaten raw, as it were. Another is that it is low in calories and as it is rich you can't actually consume too much of it in one sitting. It also contains significant amounts of the minerals copper, selenium and phosphorous and smaller amounts of calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and manganese. Unfortunately smoked salmon contains high levels of sodium which contributes to increased risks of heart disease and strokes as well as high blood pressure. This means that if you suffer from any of these diseases, it is not a good thing to include in your diet, at least in significant amounts. It is best avoided if you suffer from hypertension, chronic kidney disease, or diabetes. One or two studies have suggested that the smoking process causes unhealthy substances to form, but as long as you eat smoked salmon in moderation, you are unlikely to become ill because of it.

However, if like me you love the richness of smoked salmon and don't have any of the health problems mentioned above, it could be a good idea to add smoked salmon to your diet occasionally. http://www.herbs-treatandtaste.blogspot.com If you have enjoyed this article, you might like this website which is full of information about the food we eat and the plants that have medicinal uses. There are easy recipes for you to try which are deliciously different. Why not click on the link to find out what it's all about?

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Smoked-Salmon---Health-Benefits-of-This-Wonderful-Fish&id=6768295] Smoked Salmon - Health Benefits of This Wonderful Fish