The first step to living a Paleo lifestyle is to eat plenty of meat and vegetables. Mackerel not only fits into the meat category, but it is one of the highest sources of Omega-3 fats you’ll find.
Paleo and PUFAs
Omega-3 fats are a type of polyunsaturated fat (PUFA) with anti-inflammatory properties. Those of us living a Paleo lifestyle generally try to avoid PUFAs, but omega-3 fats are one type of PUFA that most people could use more of. One of the main problems with the Standard American Diet (SAD) is that it’s extremely high in omega-6 fats (a type of PUFA with inflammatory properties) and low in omega-3 fats. Ideally, we should be consuming at least as many omega-3 as omega-6 fats in order to keep our inflammation down.
Other Nutrients
In addition to the excellent fat profile, mackerel comes with all the other micronutrients you normally get from seafood, including iron, calcium, iodine, and selenium, all of which we need to maintain a strong and healthy body.
Wild-Caught vs. Farmed
One concern people have with eating fish is whether they’re eating fish that is safe to eat. As our human population has gone up, demand for foods like fish have gone up with it. As a result, the wild-caught fish that groceries used to sell has largely been replaced with farmed fish. These are fish that have been raised in small pens full of their own filth and pumped with antibiotics. Not very appetizing, and certainly not eco-friendly.
Mark Sisson has some tips on how to make sure you’re buying the best fish.
