Why diabetics need to eat more fish
Need another reason to eat more fish? How about this latest discovery: Upping the amount of fish in your diet to at least two portions a week could help protect diabetics from the dangers of kidney disease.
In the British study, 517 test subjects with diabetes who ate less than one serving of fish a week were four times more likely to have the protein albumin in their system. Albumin is a known indicator of kidney damage.
“Protein in the urine is one of the earliest signs of kidney disease, a serious complication of diabetes,” said the study’s co-author Amanda Adler. It’s thought that the nutrients in the fish could help control the glucose level in the blood.
The study didn’t say what kind of fish, either, but all indications are that it’s the denser varieties of salt-water fish that do the most good. The findings are preliminary and still require clinical trials to be cemented as fact. But it should come as no surprise that this is just one more of the many benefits to a diet filled with fish.
I’ve written many times about the benefits of eating fish – especially cold-water varieties like salmon, trout, and cod. Among other vital nutrients, they’re high in the omega-3 fatty acids that your heart needs to stay healthy and beating strong. The fact that they can help offset the dangers of kidney disease is a nice bonus.
Wild game can cause high levels of lead in the blood
Most people who eat wild game consider it to be healthier than the factory farm options stacked up on grocery store shelves. For the most part, they’re right. But as with everything else, there’s always the exception to the rule.
A North Dakota study revealed that those who ate wild game that was slain using lead bullets had higher levels of lead in their blood.
While the study claimed the elevated lead levels were not high enough to be considered dangerous, North Dakota health officials thought the discovery significant enough to issue a state-wide recommendation that pregnant women and children under the age of six should steer clear of venison that was “harvested” (you’ve gotta love that euphemism) with lead bullets.
Lead is a nasty, dangerous substance to ingest – especially at a young age. It’s highly toxic, and too much exposure to the stuff can result in chronic learning disorders, nervous convulsions, brain damage, and even death.
Dr. Stephen Pickard, lead researcher of the study, said, “Nobody was in trouble from the lead levels the effect was small but large enough to be a concern.”
Maybe so but for all you hunters out there who are coming home with a 10-point buck – you might want to think twice before serving it up for dinner – especially if you’re feeding a pregnant woman or young children.
