What One Fish Has Higher Omega 3 Fats Than Salmon?

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by: Jayson Hunter
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Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 Time: 11:33 PM
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You can grill it, smoke it, poach it or cure it, but this fish is becoming one of the most popular fish on menus today. It is called Alaska Black Cod or also known as Sablefish. Sablefish is known for its rich flavor and delicate texture.

Sablefish is a very healthy food, as it is low in calories and a very good source of high quality protein and essential fatty acids. If you had to choose just one fish loaded with Omega 3 fatty acids with great flavor then Alaska Black Cod (Sablefish) would be the choice. Did you know that Alaska Black Cod can contain up to 50% more Omega 3 fats (EPA and DHA) than salmon?

Black Cod is harvested generally in the icy waters of Alaska's Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska. It is one of the highest quality cod filets available. Because it has a firm texture, it adapts well to many different cooking methods such as baking, poaching, steaming or sautéed.

This fish has become a delicacy in some parts of the world because it has a sweet taste and flaky texture. It inhabits muddy sea beds between depths of 1000 and 9000 feet. When prepared correctly it will literally melt in your mouth, which is why it is sometimes referred to as "butterfish". As mentioned before Sablefish is not only a great source of high quality protein and Omega 3 fats it is also a great source of phosphorous, iron, zinc and calcium. The fats in Sablefish are highly polyunsaturated and thus well suited for lower cholesterol diets. One 4 oz serving of this delicious Alaskan Black Cod provides approximately 1.5 grams of the essential fatty acid Omega 3. More and more research is showing the benefits of Omega 3 fatty acid consumption and essential fats. They have all sorts of benefits for your body, from lowering cholesterol levels to fighting off inflammation to speeding up metabolism for fat loss and preventing diabetes by controlling blood sugars.

The sustainability of Alaskan Black Cod is not at all at risk. The largest population of black cod in the world is found in Alaska. There is no concern for fish sustainability despite its recent surge in popularity. The Alaskan Black Cod population is not close to approaching the overfished status.

The one downside to Alaskan Black Cod is that it has to be shipped to most parts of the world since most of it comes from Alaska. This can add to the cost of the fish as well as many stores deciding not to carry it because of the cost. You will find it in higher quality restaurants where they can charge more for it or you may have to order it online and have it shipped to your house. This can also add to the cost of Alaskan Black Cod.

If you can't afford Alaskan Black Cod there are other great tasting cold water fish such as Salmon to provide you with the benefits of great high quality protein and essential fatty acids. You can also find a high quality source of essential fatty acids in capsule form so that you can get the benefit of Omega 3 fats and not necessarily have to shell out the money to consume it in edible fish form.

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Realize the power of high quality Omega 3 fats: High Quality Essential Fatty Acids