Boost Heart Health with Fish

Love eating finny food? Here's some good fish news to chew on: Eating 6 ounces of omega-3-rich fish twice weekly reduces your risk of dying from heart disease by a whopping 36 percent. Go fish!

Even if the fish is high in mercury, you won't lose a bit of the age-defying protection against heart disease and stroke. Just remember that not all fish is good for everyone. If there are infants, young children, or pregnant moms in your household, you'll want to steer clear of fish high in mercury. It can cause brain and kidney disorders.

Use these fish facts to reel in the healthiest benefits:

• Go small. When you can't recall what fish are safest, just remember this: Young, pint-sized fish, such as anchovies, herring, and sole, have the shortest exposure to mercury in the water. They also eat fewer other fish (each step up the food chain concentrates the mercury), so they're the safest. Try this Pacific Sole with Oranges & Pecans recipe from Eating Well.)
• Lure the fatty fish. Salmon and trout are heart helpers packed with omega-3 fatty acids. Herring, sardines, flounder, haddock, cod, and canned light tuna (lower in mercury than white albacore) also deliver a winning combo of high heart-healthy omega-3s and low mercury levels. Need another good reason to eat salmon? Here's one.)
• Get a fruity, nutty fish fix. Polyphenol-rich tropical fruit, such as mango, pineapple, banana (try this delicious smoothie), and papaya, reduce the amount of mercury your body absorbs. Sprinkling on walnuts, flaxseeds, and canola or olive oil adds an omega-3 boost. Discover other great sources of Omega-3s.
• Say no to heavy metal. Swordfish, shark, tilefish, king mackerel, marlin, orange roughy, and (just added to the list) mahi-mahi are mercury depots. Good news: Red snapper recently came off the list!

Want a healthier smile? Learn how eating fish can help.