They're low in calories and saturated fat. They're an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. And most importantly, they contain omega-3 fatty acids which can reduce the risk of heart disease.
Of course, some fish -- like herring, mackerel, and salmon -- contain more omega-3 fatty acids than others -- like flounder, halibut, and trout.
So losing weight with fish, especially those high in omega-3 fatty acids, is a no-brainer, right?
Wrong.
***There's Something Else You Should Know***
A serious concern with fish is the polluted water they swim in. They can become contaminated with mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
So when you eat fish to lose weight, these dangerous substances can be passed to you. At high levels, mercury can cause heart, autoimmune, and nervous system problems.
PCBs can cause cancer.
But not all fish have the same levels of mercury and PCBs. That's because smaller fish don't accumulate as many environmental poisons as larger fish.
And wild fish accumulate less than farmed fish.
So exactly which fish are safe in your diet and how much can you eat?
You should talk to your doctor for the latest information.
But I also use an interesting tool, the "Mercury Calculator," from the National Resources Defense Council at www.nrdc.org/health/effects/mercury/index.asp
**Here's How It Works**
On the nrdc.org website, click the calculator icon marked "Mercury Calculator" near the bottom of the page on the left side.
Then type in your weight and check off the kinds of fish you ate the prior week. (I like to use it before I eat seafood or fish. That way, I can avoid potentially harmful levels of mercury.)
For each type of fish or seafood, choose the number of portions you ate and whether they were small, medium or large.
Then the calculator estimates your average daily mercury dose and tells you if you're within the EPA "Safety Zone."
Naturally, it's only an estimate. Your actual intake of mercury will vary.
If you want a more accurate reading, you can ask your doctor about giving you a blood mercury test.
But if you eat fish or seafood on a regular basis, the "Mercury Calculator" may give you a way of knowing if you're putting your health at risk.
**Which Are The Safest Types Of Fish To Eat When Losing Weight?**
According to the nrdc.org website, you should avoid eating fish with the highest levels of mercury such as shark, swordfish, and orange roughy.
The site also lists those fish high or moderate in mercury and gives you a recommendation on how many servings to eat per month.
For example, grouper is high in mercury. The website recommends eating three servings or less per month.
Finally, there is a group of fish with the least amount of mercury. I didn't see any warnings on limiting consumption of most of those types of fish.
For example, pollock, trout and whitefish didn't have any warnings as far as I could see. But you may want to recheck just to be sure.
**So Is It Healthy To Eat Fish While Losing Weight?**
It seems like the answer is a qualified yes. Just make sure you know the risks.
And above all, consult your doctor if you have any questions or health concerns about losing weight with fish.
Important Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only. It's not medical advice and it's not a substitute for any advice or treatment from your physician. Always see your physician before starting any new diet plan.
Copyright (c) 2007 Debbie Fontana
Understanding Hoodia Gordonii
Hoodia Gordonii is a plant very similar in appearance to the cactus which grows mainly in southern Africa. The six foot plant, which is native to the Kalahari Desert, has been used for hundreds of years by the indigenous people of Southern Africa to quench thirst and to suppress appetite on long trips across the desert.
In recent times, clinical trials done by drug giant Pfizer and others have emerged indicating Hoodia as a powerful weight loss supplement. In one such study conducted in the UK, one group of volunteers was given a placebo while another group of volunteers was given an extract of Hoodia Gordonii. Both groups were then sent home and told to go about their lives as they normally would. Two weeks later, results showed that the group that was given the Hoodia extract reduced their caloric intake by 1,000 calories per day with no extra effort whatsoever. This study, and others like it, concluded that Hoodia Gordonii helps dieters lose weight by suppressing the appetite.
How Hoodia Gordonii Works
Studies done on Hoodia shows that it contains natural substances which, when ingested, causes your brain to think that you are full and eliminates the desire to eat. This makes Hoodia a powerful appetite suppressant and an excellent addition to any weight loss program.
Why Hoodia Liquid Works Best
In order for Hoodia Pills to work they must go through your digestive system. Not only does it take the hoodia pills longer to reach your bloodstream then a liquid does, but your digestive juices attack the hoodia losing some of the potency. With a liquid the absorption rate is 95 ? 98%, while with pills it is only 2 ? 20% maximum. Pills are also sometimes hard to swallow but a liquid hoodia can be taken by putter a dropper full under your tongue or mixing in a glass of water or juice. Plus liquid hoodia also tastes good.
You can easily see why the hoodia liquid is clearly the better choice.
Making Hoodia Gordonii Part Of Your Weight Loss Program
While Hoodia Gordonii shows a lot of promise as a powerful appetite suppressant, it is important to note that there is no magical solution when it comes to weight loss. An intelligent weight loss program should be combined with sensible changes in your lifestyle that include moderate exercise such as strength training which builds strength and endurance.
Additionally, attention should be paid to your diet and care should be taken to avoid foods that are high in sugars such as potatoes, baked goods, candy and other types of sugar containing foods.
Healthy, wholesome foods should make up your diet which includes unsaturated fats from olive oil and canola oil, for example, and omega-3 rich oils found in fish and other seafood.
Moreover, healthy weight loss should never go over two pounds per week. If you are on a weight loss program that goes beyond that, it is likely to include loss of muscle and bone density. While it may be easier to lose muscle mass and bone density, it is a lot harder to gain it back. A loss of bone density can lead to fractures, injuries and more serious illnesses such as osteoporosis. It is for this reason, therefore, that most dieticians suggest that weight loss should not go over more than two pounds of body fat per week in order to avoid the loss of muscle mass.
Additionally, full hydration during any weight loss program is essential especially while taking a supplement like Hoodia Gordonii because, in addition to suppressing the appetite, it will also eliminate your thirst as well.
Both Debbie Fontana & Patricia Zelkovsky are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Debbie Fontana has sinced written about articles on various topics from Health, Start Online Business and Home Businesses. Want to lose weight by indulging your weaknesses? Debbie Fontana created the delicious I Love to Cheat lifestyle diet that conforms to you… your needs… your wants… your lifestyle. So stop torturing yourself with strict diet rules. For. Debbie Fontana's top article generates over 8100 views. to your Favourites.
Patricia Zelkovsky has sinced written about articles on various topics from Hoodia, Low Carb Diet and Lose Weight. Patricia has been interested in Health & Fitness since the early 70's and knows how to seperate hype from fact. Patricia's choice for