Salmon is often prized for its health benefits, thanks to its rich content of omega-3 fatty acids, which support cellular function, nervous system regulation, and inflammatory responses. However, there are stark differences between wild-caught and farm-raised salmon that could impact your health.

Contaminants and Health Risks

• Higher levels of contaminants:  Farmed Salmon have more fat therefore contain more PCBs and dioxins. A number of studies show that PCBs are linked to causing cancer,
• Processed diet leads to a higher fat content with more omega-6 fatty acids, potentially promoting inflammation.

Differences in Nutritional Value

• Diet:
  • Farmed salmon: Processed fish feed and higher fat content, with more omega-6 fatty acids. And the fish are often dyed pink to mimic the natural “red” color of the wild salmon.
  • Wild salmon: Natural invertebrates such as zooplankton, shrimp, and herring. That gives wild salmon the famous red color.
• Nutritional Comparison (per 113g):
  • Protein: Farmed – 23g | Wild – 22g
  • Fat: Farmed – 15g (19% DV) | Wild – 5g (8% DV)
  • Calcium: Farmed – 10mg (1% DV) | Wild – 39mg (4% DV)
  • Iron: Farmed – 0.4mg (2% DV) | Wild – 1mg (6% DV)
  • Cholesterol: Farmed – 60mg (20% DV) | Wild – 99mg (33% DV)

Farmed salmon has more fat, while wild salmon is richer in calcium and iron.

Environmental and Antibiotic Concerns

• Environmental Impact:
  • Disease Spread: Crowded fish farms are breeding grounds for diseases like sea lice, which can spread to wild salmon populations.
  • Pollution: Waste, uneaten feed, and chemicals from farms pollute nearby waters, leading to harmful algal blooms and dead zones.
• Antibiotic Use:
  • Antibiotic Resistance: Heavy antibiotic use in farms can lead to resistant bacteria, posing risks to both fish and human health.
  • Health Concerns: Consuming farmed salmon treated with antibiotics may contribute to long-term health issues, despite regulatory limits

Cost vs. Health Benefits

• Wild-caught salmon: Lower contaminants, more natural diet, but more expensive.
• Farmed salmon: Nutritious, more affordable, but with some health and environmental risks. Consider sourcing from farms with stricter regulations.

Choosing Healthier Alternatives

The American Heart Association advises that most adults consume two servings of fatty fish like salmon each week. This is because salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are associated with numerous health benefits.

According to the Washington State Department of Health of Health, both wild and farmed salmon offer significant health benefits, particularly due to their high omega-3 fatty acid content, although concerns about environmental impacts and contaminants persist.

Additionally, both types of salmon can carry organic pollutants, such as PCBs, and mercury.

To reduce exposure to these contaminants, consider sourcing salmon from speciality Suppliers:

Why You Should Buy Wild Salmon from Specialty Suppliers