Paleo for Your Mind, Body…and Heart!

February is National Heart Month in America, so what better way to focus in on yet another benefit of healthy, Paleo living than to choose some of the healthiest foods for our tickers? Let’s begin with a segue from last week’s posts on nuts and seeds and how the fat we obtain from them is less than ideal, one of the healthiest fats we can consume is that which we get when we enjoy a piece of wild salmon.

• Wild Salmon is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids which benefit the heart of healthy people, and those at high risk of, or who already have  cardiovascular disease.
• Omega-3 fatty acids decrease risk of arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats), which can lead to sudden death. Omega-3 fatty acids also decrease triglyceride levels, slow growth rate of atherosclerotic plaque, and lower blood pressure (slightly).

The American Heart Association recommends eating fatty fish at least two times (two 3.5 ounce servings) a week.   “At least” being the key phrase; in other words, it’s the bare minimum. Eating it that sparingly would be akin to having a single spear of broccoli or two leaves of kale, and we all know my position on that!  (Greens are not just for garnish, my friends!). Please make sure you go for wild salmon rather than farmed, not just for the related health issues but also for the environmental impact. Be flexible; if you were planning a dinner featured wild salmon and only farmed is available, perhaps you might swap for another fantastic source of Omega 3s: Wild Black Cod!