Researchers found that the contaminant levels in farmed salmon from certain regions of the world increased the risk of cancer enough to outweigh the heart health benefits of salmon.

The toxin levels were so high in some farmed salmon from Europe that people should only eat a single serving once every five months, the study found.

While farm-raised salmon from Chile were found to contain the lowest concentrations of pollutants in farm-raised populations.

While the toxin levels in wild salmon weren't high enough to exceed the health benefits, the same wasn't true for farmed salmon, which are raised on a diet of fish oil.

The level of contaminants in fish oil - often derived from local fish - vary depending on the region of the world.

Farmed salmon from South America, especially from Chile, had the lowest level of pollutants followed by farmed salmon from North America.

Salmon from Europe had the highest level of pollutants, according to the study, most probably due to the fact that area's been industrialized much longer.

Prompted by other studies indicating that fish oil increases the levels of toxins in farm-raised salmon, some fish farmers in recent years have switched to using vegetable oil pellets.

But a study last year found the heart health benefits from fish like salmon were weakened when they were fed vegetable oil instead of fish oil.

However, even taking into account the risks, the benefits of salmon could be still worthwhile for some groups, including older people who may be recovering from coronary problems.

But for young people worried about a lifetime accumulation of pollutants, the risks far outweigh the benefits.

Recent studies from Scotland have reported that feeding salmon vegetable oils - except in the final stages of farming - resulted in salmon with significantly lower levels of contaminants but with most of the omega-3 fatty acids obtained from the standard diet.

Children and younger people, especially women of child-bearing age, pregnant women, and nursing mothers should reduce their exposure to the contaminants found in farmed salmon.

In the developing fetus, some of these contaminants cause harm to the nervous system, leading to a reduced IQ and shortened attention span. Younger people are at risk of accumulating carcinogenic agents in their bodies and harming a developing child.

Instead of eating farm-raised salmon high in contaminants, people at risk for heart attacks should get their Omega-3 oils from

• wild Pacific salmon
• raw nuts, and
• vegetables, preferably organically grown.

Triglyceride Reduction Formula. A Vitamin-Mineral Supplement to Support Healthy Blood Lipid Levels

The salmon aquaculture industry should find ways to provide a product that does not contain high levels of carcinogenic contaminants.

Study: Quantitative Analysis of the Benefits and Risks of Consuming Farmed and Wild Salmon, Journal of Nutrition, Nov. 2005 issue

For Advice Or To Place A Phone Order, CALL:    1. 705. 876. 9357 (US/Can) (Monday - Friday: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm EST, Weekends & Holidays Excluded)