Wild-caught salmon
As part of the functional medicine approach to addressing the whole person, Tendwell practitioners pay close attention overall nutrition; and Tendwell members are seen both by certified functional medicine practitioners and by a health coach to help keep them on track with their personalized health plans. Incorporating functional foods can make a tremendous difference to overall health. In this functional medicine blog, we focus on one potential change that is easy to make: eating more wild-caught salmon as part of a healthy approach to food.
Salmon is a popular fish that is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients that can benefit your health in numerous ways. While there are different types of salmon, wild-caught salmon is often considered the healthiest and most nutritious because it is not raised on artificial diets and does not contain antibiotics or other harmful chemicals that farmed salmon may have.
One of the main health benefits of eating wild-caught salmon is its high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids. These fats are essential for good health, as they can help reduce inflammation, improve brain function, and lower the risk of heart disease. In fact, eating wild-caught salmon regularly has been shown to help lower blood pressure and triglyceride levels, which are two major risk factors for heart disease.
In addition to omega-3s, wild-caught salmon is also a great source of protein. Protein is essential for building and repairing tissues in the body, so eating salmon can help promote muscle growth and development. Moreover, the protein in salmon is easily digestible, which means it can be quickly absorbed and used by your body.
Another important nutrient found in wild-caught salmon is vitamin D. This vitamin is known to play a role in regulating mood and preventing depression, so eating salmon regularly may help improve your overall mood and wellbeing. Vitamin D is also important for bone health, as it helps your body absorb calcium and other minerals that are necessary for strong, healthy bones.
Wild-caught salmon also contains astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant that can help protect the eyes from damage caused by UV light and other harmful environmental factors. Astaxanthin has been shown to improve visual acuity and reduce the risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
Some studies have found that the omega-3 fatty acids found in wild-caught salmon may help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, including breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer. These fatty acids may help prevent cancer by reducing inflammation, inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, and enhancing the immune system.
Overall, incorporating more wild-caught salmon into your dietary mix can have great health benefits. It can be delicious too. Here are some great recipes to try out. From an integrative medicine perspective, these kinds of achievable changes should be leveraged as much as possible as part of an overall holistic health plan. Your Tendwell functional medicine provider can help.
