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A Fish Story: How To Improve Your Health While Protecting The Oceans with Paul Greenberg

Feb 12, 2020

Guest

Paul Greenberg

Paul Greenberg, bestselling author and marine conservationist, shares his insights on the nutritional benefits of fish and the complexities of seafood consumption. He discusses the dangers of mercury exposure, sustainable aquaculture practices, and the critical state of ocean ecosystems. Greenberg emphasizes the importance of mindful eating to combat overfishing and explores the role of omega-3 fatty acids in health. He also highlights the urgent issue of microplastics in our oceans, urging a shift towards healthier, more sustainable seafood choices.

01:27:08

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ANECDOTE

Divorce Dad Fishing

Paul Greenberg's passion for fishing started with divorce dad weekends.
He became a skilled fisherman, surpassing his dad, who preferred poker on fishing trips.

insights

INSIGHT

Declining Fish Populations

Returning to fishing after a 10-year hiatus, Greenberg noticed a significant decline in fish populations.
This sparked his investigation into the causes.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Newfoundland Ghost Town

Dr. Hyman recounts visiting a Newfoundland town once dedicated to cod fishing.
The town is now a ghost town due to the collapse of the cod fishery.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Transforming Health and Ecosystems Through Food Choices

02:20 • 3min

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The Dual Edge of Fishing: Health and Sustainability

05:35 • 12min

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Sustaining Our Seas: The Global Fishing Crisis

17:55 • 20min

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Ocean Health and Seafood Safety

38:24 • 21min

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Anchovies and Omega-3 Insights

59:11 • 17min

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Microplastics: An Oceanic Crisis

01:15:49 • 4min

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Choosing Healthy and Sustainable Seafood Options

01:19:39 • 2min

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Understanding and Overcoming Fatigue: A Comprehensive 10-Day Reset Guide

01:22:04 • 4min

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Four fish

the future of the last wild food

Paul Greenberg

In 'Four Fish: The Future of the Last Wild Food', Paul Greenberg delves into the history and current state of salmon, sea bass, cod, and tuna, highlighting the challenges of overfishing and the potential of sustainable aquaculture. The book offers a balanced view of the seafood industry, advocating for better management of marine resources and sustainable fishing practices.

American Catch

The Fight for Our Local Seafood

Paul Greenberg

In 'American Catch', Paul Greenberg explores the environmental and economic challenges facing American seafood, focusing on iconic species like New York oysters, Gulf shrimp, and Alaskan salmon. The book highlights how 91% of seafood consumed in the U.S. is imported and proposes ways to revitalize local seafood industries.

The Omega Principle

Seafood and the Quest for a Long Life and a Healthier Planet

Paul Greenberg

In 'The Omega Principle', Paul Greenberg explores the complex story of omega-3 fatty acids, from their origins in phytoplankton to their role in modern dietary supplements. The book delves into the global fishing industry's impact on marine life and the environment, highlighting the need for a more sustainable food system. Greenberg argues for a more thoughtful approach to seafood consumption and its potential to lead to a healthier planet.

Food Fix

Mark Hyman

In 'Food Fix', Dr. Mark Hyman delves into the systemic issues within the global food system, highlighting how corrupted food and agriculture policies driven by money and lobbying contribute to chronic diseases, climate change, poverty, violence, and educational achievement gaps. The book pairs the latest nutritional and environmental science with a critical examination of the food industry and its policies. It offers practical solutions for individuals, businesses, and policymakers to create a healthier world, society, and planet by focusing on regenerative organic agriculture, public health initiatives, and policy reforms.

Food

What the Heck Should I Eat?

Mark Hyman

In this book, Dr. Mark Hyman clarifies the confusion surrounding nutrition by examining every food group and debunking common misconceptions. He provides a roadmap for achieving lifelong health through whole foods and explains how food impacts personal health, the environment, and society. The book offers practical advice and recipes to help readers make healthier choices.

Fish is one of the most nutritious food sources on the planet, especially when it comes to protein. But I’m usually scared to eat it. That’s because some seafood is at risk for toxicity that can harm our health, not to mention certain aquaculture methods are contributing to declining populations and even the acidification of our oceans. It’s not all bad, but it is complex. There are several important things we should think about in order to reap the health benefits from fish and act as environmental stewards at the same time.

To better understand seafood I sat down to talk with Paul Greenberg for this week’s episode of The Doctor’s Farmacy. Paul is the bestselling author of Four Fish, American Catch, and The Omega Principle. A regular contributor to the New York Times and many other publications, Mr. Greenberg is the writer-in-residence at the Safina Center, a Pew Fellow in Marine Conservation and the recipient of a James Beard Award for Writing and Literature. He appears frequently on American and international radio and television programs and is the featured correspondent and co-writer of the 2017 PBS Frontline documentary The Fish On My Plate which, along with his TED talk, has reached millions of viewers.

This episode is brought to you by ButcherBox. ButcherBox is committed to humanely raised animals that are never given antibiotics or added hormones and since they take out the middleman you get extra savings. Right now ButcherBox has a special offer, get 2lbs of wild-caught Alaskan sockeye salmon and 2 grass-fed filet mignon steaks for free in your first order PLUS $20 off your first box - just go to ButcherBox.com/farmacy. Make sure you order before February 25, 2020 to take advantage of this great deal.

Here are more of the details from our interview:

Why I’m scared to eat fish and why Paul is optimistic about our oceans (6:55)

Overfishing and the declining fish population around the world (17:57)

How our monoculture is leading to the creation of dead zones in our waters (25:48)

Pros and cons of aquaculture (27:26)

The nutritional value and toxin levels of farmed salmon (31:37)

The decline of our oceans from an environmental point of view and the death of phytoplankton (38:36)

The most effective way to test for mercury exposure (44:10)

The best types of fish for you to eat (53:13)

Fish oil, omega-3 deficiency, and veganism (1:00:47)

The issue of microplastics in the ocean (1:15:44)

Learn more about Paul Greenberg at www.paulgreenberg.org and watch his TED talk at https://www.ted.com/talks/paul_greenberg_the_four_fish_we_re_overeating_and_what_to_eat_instead.

Follow him on Facebook @fourfish, on Instagram @4fishgreenberg, and on Twitter @4fishgreenberg.

Resources:

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) https://www.msc.org/home

Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) https://www.asc-aqua.org/

Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) https://www.bapcertification.org/

Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch https://www.seafoodwatch.org/

Greenpeace’s Carting Away the Oceans Report: 2018 Supermarket Seafood Ranking https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/research/carting-away-the-oceans-10/

Seek out a “Community Supporting Fishery” or CSF through www.localcatch.org

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