Is Salmon Good for You?

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A Catalyst article examining if there are harmful chemicals in farmed fish. Oily fish such as salmon, tuna, sardines and mackerel contain plenty of protein, vitamins and the right sort of fats. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which are released when fats are digested. The human body uses these fatty acids to make cells, especially the fat-rich cells of the nervous system. Omega-3 fatty acids are thought to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Recently there was a ‘scare’ about salmon. A report in the USA showed that salmon from fish farms contained higher levels of chemicals called organochlorines, particularly polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxin, than wild salmon. PCBs and dioxin are known to be a health hazard and they are persistent environmental pollutants.

This article is from Catalyst: GCSE Science Review 2005, Volume 16, Issue 2.

Catalyst is a science magazine for students aged 14-19 years. Annual subscriptions to print copies of the magazine can be purchased from Mindsets.

URL: http://stem.org.uk/rx4qa

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