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Alaska Salmon: The Super Seafood

3 MIN READ • 17th January 2001

Five ways eating wild Alaskan salmon can be good for your health

Did you know, seafood from Alaska is wild, natural and sustainable? Found in some of the cleanest waters of the world, wild Alaska seafood has no artificial colouring or preservatives and swims wild in the Pacific Ocean. This freedom, along with the fish’s natural diet creates superior taste and texture, as wild Alaska seafood is firmer, fitter and a more vibrant fish.

To tell us more, we hear from the experts at Alaska Seafood on five ways the enhanced quality of Alaskan salmon can positively support our health.

Supports heart health

Studies show that eating fish as little as once per week reduces the risk of death from coronary heart disease, and higher levels of omega-3s, such as DHA and EPA, lower the risk of fatal heart attack.

One of the most effective ways to boost these levels is through taking supplements or eating foods high in these compounds, such as wild Alaska Salmon.

Omega-3 fatty acids also reduce resting heart rate and help heart rate return to resting more quickly after exercise. What’s more, wild Alaska Salmon is an excellent source of selenium.

Selenium is important for the optimal function of the cardiovascular system. It is also a powerful antioxidant that reduces inflammation.

Boosts brain health and mood

The connection between diet and brain health has been well documented and a growing number of studies suggest that including salmon in your diet might improve brain function and cognitive health.

Once again, that’s largely because of its high content of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA. These are linked with helping to protect and restore the brain.

In fact, A 2022 study published in Nutrition Reviews found that consuming at least two servings of fish per week was associated with a 10 percent lower risk of dementia and a 30 percent lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Although more studies are needed, it’s also reported that consuming fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids boosts serotonin in the brain, helping prevent many mood imbalances and disorders.

Improves immune function

One of the most crucial nutrients for maintaining and improving immune function is selenium – and the good news is that salmon loaded with it.

Selenium supports good immune health by providing powerful antioxidant protection to the body via the enzyme, glutathione peroxidase. This antioxidant helps to reduce oxidative stress and to minimise damaging free radicals in the body.

Wild Alaska Salmon is a fantastic source of selenium, with a 100-gram serving providing a whopping 73 percent of the daily recommended allowance for selenium. It’s also rich in vitamins D and A, and the amino acid glutamine, which all contribute to a healthy immune system.

Good for eye health

Alaska Salmon contains several nutrients necessary for maintaining good eye health and vision. Along with zinc and vitamins A and D, which improve vision and prevent age-related macular degeneration, salmon also contains astaxanthin.

This nutrient has been studied in humans and animals for its ability to prevent certain disorders that can affect eye health, including age-related macular degeneration, eye fatigue, uveitis and cataracts.

What’s more, research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids could be beneficial for relief from pressure and dryness in the eyes and consuming adequate amounts of DHA is a preventative strategy for good eye health.

Can help prevent inflammation

Many experts believe that inflammation is the root cause of most chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Inflammation occurs when unwanted substances like toxins, excess fat cells build up and result in chronic low-grade inflammation that often goes unnoticed.

Eating fatty fish high in omega-3, like wild Alaska Salmon, is among the best dietary countermeasures, due to the antiinflammatory properties present in the fish.

These have been shown to lower white blood cells in the body, which are often used as a measure of chronic inflammation.

Alaska Seafood recommend eating 113g of fatty fish twice per week to reduce inflammation in the body.

About Alaska Seafood

Wild and sustainable, seafood from Alaska is free to roam miles of ocean and roaring icy rivers and is responsibly sourced by fisherman at just the right moment and in just the right way.

This all adds up to superior wild seafood, deep in color, rich in flavor and packed full of vitamins, minerals and omega-3s.

For recipes and more information on the nutritional benefits of salmon and Alaska’s other abundant seafood, visit the website.

Meet the writer
Rae Passfield
Commercial content creator

Rae is the newest member of the H&W editorial team, working on the mag’s creative branded content and joining the panel on the Walk to Wellbeing podcast. She’s spent several years living and working abroad as a copywriter... Discover more

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