Wild Smart Salmon™

Our Smart Salmon is great for seniors!

The health benefits of sockeye salmon are so compelling that everyone over 50 should add this tasty health food to their diet if they are not eating it already.

Omega 3
There is almost no part of your body that Omega 3 fatty acids don’t help. The long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in Omega 3 are good for virtually every symptom associated with aging, including preventing heart disease, lowering the “bad” LDL cholesterol and raising the “good” HDL cholesterol, lowering inflammation levels in the body to prevent or lessen the impact of arthritis, and improving brain function while lowering the risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Brain function
There’s a reason why fish has been called brain food. The gray matter of the brain has a high concentration of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and requires a steady supply for proper functioning. DHA helps the brain cell membranes to function properly. By keeping it bathed in DHA, you can help prevent the problems associated the aging, such as mood disorders, memory loss and even Alzheimer’s disease.

For more information on the role of Omega 3 fatty acids is helping prevent Alzheimer’s disease, see http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070417182847.htm.

For information on a National Institute of Health trial, see
http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/may2007/nia-10.htm.

Heart Health
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) remains the number one killer of both men and women in the U.S. Each year, more than 500,000 Americans die of heart attacks caused by CHD. The American Heart Association recommends that everyone eat 2 high fat fish meals every week. The essential fatty acids in Omega 3 oils, especially EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), help keep the walls of your coronary arteries soft and supple. Eating foods rich in EPA, like Smart Salmon, is one of the best things you can do for your heart.

For information on the role of Omega 3 fatty acids in promoting hearth health and preventing heart disease, see http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070811224526.htm.

For a transcript of a podcast from the Mayo Clinic with an expert on heart health, see http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/omega-3-fatty-acids/HB00096.

Bone health
Vitamin D has many benefits for the human body. It helps reduce the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure and helps prevent certain cancers. As people age, Vitamin D deficiency can lead to bone disease, as Vitamin D is important for the absorption of calcium. Scientists are now discovering many other health benefits for Vitamin D, including its anti-inflammatory properties and its role in preventing a whole host of diseases from rheumatoid arthritis to Type 1 diabetes and cancer. Recent studies have shown that most people, especially those living in the northern climates, do not get enough Vitamin D during the winter months and that consequences of Vitamin D deficiency may be greater than previously thought. Sockeye is the single best food source for Vitamin D.

Aging
Many of the causes of aging are diet-related. Your body produces free radicals of oxygen as part of its normal metabolic processes. The wrong diet can cause more “free radicals” which cause aging and disease. The right diet, rich in antioxidants, can help remove these free radicals and promote better health. The best way to remove free radicals is eating a diet rich in antioxidants. Astaxanthin is a super antioxidant, stronger than beta carotene and lycopene. Astaxanthin comes from the zooplankton in the diet of wild salmon. Unlike other salmon, sockeye, otherwise known as red salmon, eats zooplankton throughout its life cycle, and thus has the most astaxanthin of any salmon. This accounts for its dark red color.

Selenium
Selenium is an important trace mineral. Sockeye is an excellent source of selenium, which plays a vital role in a number of health issues. Like Astaxanthin, it is an antioxidant. Antioxidants play an important role in preventing the buildup of plaque in the blood vessels around the heart. According to the National Institute of Health, people with higher levels of selenium in their blood are less susceptible to many kinds of cancers. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, reducing the likelihood of developing arthritis and supporting joint function.

For a good summary of the benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids for arthritis sufferers, see: http://www.oilofpisces.com/rheumatoidarthritis.html

Meal Planning for Active Seniors

A healthy diet is important during every stage of life, but even more important after 50 years of age. The body’s metabolism changes and weight management becomes more difficult. In addition, the effects of eating a poor diet are more immediately felt. Here are some tips about how to best prevent or reduce the effects of aging and certain diseases that are often associated with aging.

Heart health and cholesterol menu planning
The best heart healthy meal you can eat includes a salmon entrée. It is nature’s most perfect food for heart health, whether you are trying to prevent coronary heart disease, or are already combating it. Smart Salmon with Australian Ginger Sauce is a delicious way to meet your nutritional needs. Ginger and salmon both possess natural anti-inflammatory properties. Also try our Smart Salmon with Kenyan Coffee BBQ Sauce. For those with hypertension (high blood pressure), please note that our Smart Salmon with Hawaii’s own Huli Huli sauce is made with low sodium shoyu (a variety of soy sauce) to help you reduce your sodium intake. All three sauces are all natural.
Other foods you should be eating include:

whole fruits and fresh or frozen vegetables. Canned vegetables should be unsalted.
nuts, especially walnuts and almonds
seeds, especially sesame, pumpkin, sunflower and flaxseeds
legumes (all beans, peas and lentils)
whole grains, especially oats

These foods are high in fiber and low in salt.

Arthritis menu planning
Arthritis is an inflammatory disease. To prevent or reduce the impact of arthritis, you should be eating a diet that helps remove inflammation from your body. The best food that you can eat for arthritis is salmon and certain other cold water fish. Another one of the best foods for combating the effects of inflammation is ginger. Smart Salmon with Australian Ginger Sauce is the perfect combination for those with inflammatory illness.

Other good foods include:

Organically grown fruits and vegetables
Nuts and seeds
Whole grains

Brain function menu planning
If maintaining healthy brain function and preventing Alzheimer’s disease is your goal, then eating salmon is one of the best things that you can do. Other important foods include green leafy vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and cauliflower as well.

Since high blood pressure and high cholesterol are potentially a factor in Alzheimer’s onset, you should try to eat the right foods to prevent their occurrence as well.

Heart Healthy recipe - Brussel Sprouts
To prevent or reverse heart disease, you need to eat a high fiber diet full of vitamins and other good nutrients. One of the best sources of these nutrients is cruciferous vegetables. These include broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Try this recipe below. At slightly more than 100 calories per serving, it has 5 grams of fiber. In addition, Brussels sprouts are extremely high in Vitamins K and C, and high in Vitamin A and folate.

Ingredients
3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 shallots, thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon sea salt (with trace minerals)
1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and cut into quarters (fresh is best but you can use frozen)
1/2 cup low fat vegetable stock or broth
1/4 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions
In a large, nonstick frying pan, heat 2 teaspoons of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallots and sauté until soft and lightly golden, about 6 minutes. Stir in the 1/8 teaspoon salt. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
In the same frying pan, heat the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the Brussels sprouts and sauté until they begin to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the vegetable stock and bring to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, until the Brussels sprouts are tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Return the shallots to the pan. Stir in the lemon zest and juice, the 1/4 teaspoon salt, and the pepper. Serve immediately.