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Salmon
For Health!
Salmon
is rich with Omega-3 oils - the kind of fats that your cardiologist
highly recommends. Salmon is high in HDL (good) cholesterol
and beneficial Omega-3 fatty lipids, which simply stated,
help carry the LDL (bad) cholesterol away from the artery
walls while fortifying heart muscle cells against unstable
heartbeats. Dietary omega-3s take effect quickly; showing
up in cell membranes within days to weeks.
Taking
Salmon to Heart
In a recent study, people who ate enough fish to get 5.5 grams
of omega-3 fatty acids in a month (that works out to a 3-ounce
serving of salmon weekly) had only half the risk of cardiac
arrest -- an often fatal irregularity in heart rhythm -- as
people who ate no omega-3s (Journal of the American Medical
Association, Nov. 1, 1995). Researchers think the omega-3s
(special fatty acids abundant in only a few types of fish)
may help fortify heart muscle cells against unstable heartbeats.
Dietary omega-3s seem to take effect quickly, showing up in
cell membranes within days to weeks.
What
are omega-3 fats?
These beneficial fats are in the oil naturally found in fish.
The omega-3 fats, EPA and DHA, play different but equally
vital roles in human health. Though research with omega-3
supplements is promising, most experts recommend eating more
fish rather than taking supplements.
How
do they work?
EPA - helps make the platelets
in blood less sticky which in turn could help prevent the
build-up of plaque otherwise leading to a heart attack or
stroke.
DHA
- may help stabilize heart rhythm; potentially important for
people recovering from heart attacks. May help regulate cell
membrane functions involved in transmitting signals among
brain cells.
Potential
Benefits?
Heart disease control
In Chicago's Western Electric Study (over 2,000 men) the risk
of death from heart attack was half the usual rate among those
who ate an average of about 8 ounces of fish (2 servings)
a week. Other recent research suggests that just one serving
a week of "fattier" fish, like salmon could cut
the chance of cardiac arrest by 50% in folks with weakened
hearts.
Rheumatoid
Arthritis Relief
Some patients taking omega-3 supplements report less joint
pain and less morning stiffness. There does not seem a benefit
with the more common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis. The
American College of Rheumatology recommends eating fish more
often, but is holding judgement on supplements until more
is known about long term safety.
Healthy Brain Function
These fats may be helpful in mood and brain disturbances.
For example, recent research at Purdue University showed that
boys with attention deficit disorder who had lower levels
of omega-3 fats in their brains had more behavior problems.
Studies are underway to see if omega-3 supplements can improve
the boys' behavior. It clearly seems to work for some. The
researchers advise adding more fish into children's diets
until more is known about the long term safety of supplements.
Colitis Fighter
Bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
lead to pain, weight loss, and tremendous suffering. Washington
University researchers in St. Louis saw dramatic improvement
with fish oil supplements, including weight gain, less inflammation,
and less need for medications such as prednisone.
Blood
Triglyceride Control
Fish oils may be helpful in lowering blood triglyceride levels
in patients with high blood levels.
Cancer Fighter
Omega-3s suppress tumor growth in animals. Japanese women
have only a third as much breast cancer as American women.
Heavy use of foods such as fish and soy in the Japanese diet
may be responsible. A recent study of 25 women showed that
supplemental fish oil could change the ratio of fats in breast
tissue.
How
Much Omega-3s?
Americans now get 700-1,400 milligrams weekly. The estimate
for therapeutic benefits is 3,500 milligrams weekly. There
is no official recommendation for omega-3s. The estimate is
based on amount needed, for example, to lower triglycerides.
Save
Your Heart!
Eating
a 3 ounce serving of Salmon once a week can reduce the risk
of cardiac arrest by at least 50%, according to Univ. of WA
researchers. (Self, Feb. 1996)
Fatty fish (such as Sockeye or Pink Salmon) contain Omega-3
oils that absorb into cell membranes and lower the risk of
potentially fatal arrhythmia's. (Shape, April 1996)
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Yukon
River King Salmon (expected
in July)
Tony's
is proud to be Colorado's leader in fine meats
and seafood. We were the first in the state to
bring you Copper River King Salmon, importing
it years before others caught on. Now we're the
first with the exceptional Yukon River King Salmon,
shipped direct from the native Yup'ik fishermen!
Now,
Yukon River King Salmon will be available
in Colorado at Tony's Meats & Specialty
Foods! |
At
2300 miles long, the Yukon is one of the
longest rivers in the United States (tied
with the Mississippi). Yukon Kings travel
up to 2,000 miles up this river to spawn,
so nature provides them with prodigious
amounts of fat - no wonder the they have
the highest oil content of any salmon in
Alaska – up to 34%! Even more than
their famous cousins, the Copper River Salmon.
For nearly
30 years, the U.S. has considered Yukon
River Salmon as the “one that got
away.” Known as the “King of
Kings” Yukon River salmon has been
shipped almost exclusively to Japan for
the last 25 years.
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The Yukon
River Fisheries Association
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This
year we are buying our fish from the newly
formed Yukon River Fisheries Marketing Association.
This group brings together two distinct
cultures, Yup’ik Eskimos and Athabascan
Indians, for the purpose of promoting Yukon
River Wild King salmon cooperatively. Transportation
has always been an issue on the remote Yukon
river, but these fish are flown out on float
planes.
The current
catch quota is approximately 30,000 fish
- even less than the highly limited Copper
River King Salmon.
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These fish
come exclusively from the mouth of the
Yukon River - not upstream where the fish
slowly deteriorate due to lack of food
and a long upriver swim. The commercial
fishing season is short and limited –
just two to three weeks long with six-hour
openings at a time.
Over 20,000 people now
live in 52 villages in a region the size
of Oregon State. This is the highest population
of Native Americans living continuously
on their traditional lands, and their
culture and language remain intact.
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Economic
Impact
Yup’ik Eskimos and
Athabascan Indians have always relied on the salmon
harvest to survive,” said Marti Castle-Bickford
of the Yukon River Fisheries Marketing Association.
“We hope this new marketing collaboration
will help them begin to thrive. By working together
to market a greater percentage of the fish they
catch, the Yup’iks and Athabascans will
be able to raise the standard of living in their
remote villages. .
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In addition to providing
income for those who catch the fish, increased
demand for wild Yukon River salmon will
provide jobs for hundreds of village residents
who work on tenders and in processing
facilities. The result should be a brighter
economic future for the native peoples
along the river, and greater availability
of their prized catch for seafood lovers
everywhere
These are actual pictures
of your Yukon River Salmon fishermen.
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The gathering
of subsistence foods is still an essential
theme in this region. Natives, who face
the demands of a difficult climate, have
always been pragmatic and technologically
adaptable. Outboards, snowmobiles, and CB
radios are used in procuring foods. Hunting
and fishing Villagers now harvest an average
annual total of over 700 pounds of fish,
land and sea mammals, waterfowl, greens,
and berries per person. |
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The
soft tundra prevents roadway construction,
but the Yup’iks are highly mobile,
travelling by snowmobile and airplane in
the winter and using boats when their extensive
waterways are navigable. When the cold weather
turns and the river ice breaks up, villagers
flee their settlements and set up fish camps.
Fishing season brings extended families
together for the process of catching and
preserving salmon. It is this sense of renewing
family ties that people look forward to
and enjoy participating in, whether at fish
camps or within the villages. Traditionally
the Yup’iks were semi-nomadic, with
family groups moving from one camp to another
procuring various foods. |
“At
one time there were celebrations centered
around fishing but those have been lost.
What has taken the place of ceremonial celebrations
is a sense that the fishing season brings
together families and extended families
in the process of catching and preserving
the salmon that are caught. It is this sense
of renewing family ties that people look
forward to and enjoy participating in, whether
this is at a family campsite with a number
of extended families or within the village.”
Ragnar Alstrom, Alakanuk |
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