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The role of fish and shellfish in food The most abundant HCA in food is called PhIP on a fish farm and there are important
poisoning is often underestimated. Raw and and is linked to cancers of the colon, breast nutritional differences between farmed
undercooked fish and shellfish can contain and prostate. Some research suggests that and wild fish.
harmful viruses and bacteria. PhIP encourages breaks in our DNA that then
lead to cancer. Other work shows that PhIP Farmed fish are likely to contain more fat
The Food Standards Agency recommends acts in the same way as the female hormone than their wild cousins, but less omega-3s.
that elderly people and people who are oestrogen, high levels of which are linked Wild salmon can eat 10 times their body
unwell avoid eating raw shellfish. It also to breast cancer. This could explain the link weight of smaller fish. To feed that amount
provides an 18-point list of precautionary between red meat and breast cancer. of fish to farmed salmon is uneconomical,
measures people can take when buying, so much cheaper, manufactured pellets
storing and preparing fish. Of course The amount of PhIP in fish varies widely of soya, rapeseed or corn are used,
just avoiding fish and shellfish altogether according to the type of fish and method of combined with animal by-products,
would be much easier. Indeed excluding all cooking; one study reported high levels in vitamins and minerals as well as wild-
animal foods from the diet will dramatically grilled salmon. In fact, a recent report from caught fish. Commercial fish feed may
decrease your risk of food poisoning. the Physicians Committee for Responsible consist of just 35 per cent fish or less.
Medicine showed that the five foods
Fish and PhIPs containing the highest levels included: chicken Organic fish feeds are made from the
Some people regularly overcook meat and breasts, steak, pork, salmon and hamburgers. discarded filleting waste (blood, guts, tails
fish to avoid food poisoning. However, this and heads) of fish and shellfish caught for
could lead to even more serious problems. The damaging effect of HCAs can be human consumption. As fish stocks are so
reduced by foods containing antioxidants, low, the Soil Association are considering
Grilling, frying or barbecuing meat and fish such as vegetables and soya foods. However, permitting up to 25 per cent oil seed in
can produce cancer-causing compounds the safest option is to avoid meat and fish fish meal.
called heterocyclic amines (HCAs). These altogether. Healthier options for grilling and
dangerous compounds are made when frying include soya burgers, veggie sausages The outcome of using plant foods in fish
creatine (a chemical found in muscle) reacts and Portabella mushrooms. meal is that the level of omega-6 fats in
with amino acids (the building blocks of farmed fish has increased. Tilapia, the fish
protein) and sugar at high temperatures. Farmed and dangerous most in demand worldwide, has some of
Meat and fish both contain creatine, Unless you specifically buy wild fish, the the highest levels of omega-6 in our food
vegetables contain none. chances are the fish you eat are raised supply. This is not healthy!
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