All Fish Are NOT Created Equal

The Gene Smart Team24812 Views330 Comments

How much Omega-3 is in Tilapia? What types of fish contain the most omega-3? Download our free Healthy Eating Guide to discover the omega-3 levels of different types of fish, including Tilapia.

What’s REALLY In Your Fish?

We typically assume that fish contains high levels of omega-3; however, some fish, like farm raised tilapia, may not contain the nutrition you expect.

Fish and other marine species are your best nutrition sources to get the beneficial Omega 3s, EPA & DHA, in your diet. Many of us order fish when dining out or at the grocery store for both its taste and for its health-promoting omega 3s.

However, not all fish are created equal.

In our free Healthy Eating Guide, you’ll find a guide to Omega-3 Levels of Fish to help you know which fish contain the highest levels of omega 3, and to learn about farm raised catfish and tilapia nutrition, which may not be what you expect.

Tilapia Nutrition: Why the Tilapia Omega 3 Dilemma?

In the 1970s, the demand for fish began to outstrip what we could reasonably catch. Public awareness of the health benefits exacerbated the shortage, and (forgive the pun!) spawned a tremendous expansion in aquaculture and fish farming.

Unhealthy Tilapia is one of the most widely farmed fish on the planet. It’s inexpensive, and it doesn’t smell or taste strongly “fishy,” which is why the market for it is one of the fastest growing.

Tilapia Nutrition: Tilapia Omega 3 and Tilapia Omega 6 Levels

But research has recently shown that certain aspects of tilapia nutrition, including tilapia omega 3 and omega 6 ratios (along with farmed catfish omega 3 and omega 6 ratios) are considered by the scientific community & doctors as detrimental to our health.

First, tilapia and catfish have much higher saturated fat to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratios than other farmed or wild fish. Ratios this high in diets have been shown to be directly associated with increases in cholesterol.

Perhaps a more important factor in tilapia nutrition is that the concentration of the long-chain omega 6 called Arachidonic Acid are high. These long-chain omega 6 fatty acids alter gene expression and induce whole body inflammation. (Not to mention, they worsen your cholesterol, LDL & HDL, and triglyceride levels.)

By consuming these long-chain omega 6s in fish such as tilapia, we wreak havoc in our bodies — all the while believing that we have done something very beneficial for ourselves by eating the fish.

Tilapia Nutrition: What the Fish Eats Reduces Tilapia Omega 3s

You are what you eat…. & so is your fish!

The reason tilipia omega-3 levels are so low is because of what the fish are eating. What we’re feeding them is corn oil, soy, or whatever is cheapest at the time, packed with harmful Omega-6 fatty acids.

Normally herbivore fish eat algae, which contain healthy omega 3 fats that they convert to the very beneficial omega 3s including EPA and DHA. Carnivorous fish then eat those fish as their source of omega 3 fats.

So… What Healthy Fish Should I Add to My Diet?

Tilapia Nutrition : The Conclusion

We’ve created a handy 10-page Healthy Eating Guide, that includes a Guide to Omega 3 Levels of Fish to help you know which fish contain the highest levels of omega 3 to help you live a healthier life. We invite you to download your free copy today!