Masters of Health Magazine August 2019 | Page 13

perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA.) These gut-destroying chemicals can be found in cookware, our food, and water supply.

Gluten is just the smoke. I believe we should address what’s causing the fire. I have many patients suffering from a gluten intolerance. After they focus on removing these gut-destroying chemicals, they’re able to eat gluten again with no issues.”

What’s your opinion on eating fish?

“Fish is among the healthiest foods on the planet. In addition to being a great source of protein, fish also contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are incredibly important for the body and brain. Omega-3 fatty acids help to fight inflammation, the underlying cause of chronic diseases like arthritis, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease.

A 16-year study by the Harvard School of Public Health and the University of Washington concluded that a diet rich in fish could extend our lifespan. Participants who ate a diet high in fish, lived an average of 2.2 years longer and had a 27 percent decrease in overall mortality risk. However, farm-raised fish do not contain healthy fatty acids and worse, can be harmful. They contain artificial dyes, and polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, which are considered carcinogenic. Farm-raised fish are fed soy and corn, and that means they are also eating the pesticides used in the process of harvesting them. When these chemicals are ingested by fish, they end up in their meat, which is then consumed by humans.

The most commonly farmed fish is the Atlantic salmon. This is also the most popular fish eaten in America.

Ninety percent of the salmon sold in the United States is farm-raised. Concentrations of PCBs are higher in farm-raised fish because it accumulates in the fat. Obese farm-raised salmon are a haven for these toxic chemicals. Just like a professional marathon swimmer would have less fat on his body, so do wild-caught salmon.

Unfortunately, labels can be misleading which requires you to do a little detective work. Farm-raised salmon sells year round, while wild salmon is generally available only from June through October. If you’re on a budget, eat canned salmon. Farmed salmon doesn’t can well so most salmon sold in a can are wild-caught.