Halibut

Health Benefits

Halibut are truly a nutrient-dense food. A very good source of high quality protein, halibut are rich in significant amounts of a variety of important nutrients including the minerals selenium, magnesium, phosphorous and potassium; the B vitamins B12, niacin, and B6; and perhaps most important, the beneficial omega-3 essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids are so named because they are essential for our health but cannot be made by the body; they must therefore be obtained from foods. Cold-water fish like halibut are a rich source of the omega-3 essential fats, a form of essential fatty acids in which the standard American diet is sorely deficient. (The other form of essential fatty acids, the omega-6s, are plentiful in a variety of commonly consumed oils such as corn and safflower oil. In fact, the omega-6s are so plentiful in the typical American diet that too much omega-6 is consumed in proportion to omega-3s--an imbalance that promotes inflammation, thus contributing to virtually every chronic disease in which inflammation is a key component.)

Cardiovascular Health

Omega-3 fatty acids provide a broad array of cardiovascular benefits. Omega-3s benefit the cardiovascular system by helping to prevent erratic heart rhythms, making blood less likely to clot inside arteries (which is the ultimate cause of most heart attacks), and improving the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to potentially harmful (LDL) cholesterol. And, as mentioned above, omega-3s reduce inflammation, which is a key component in the processes that turn cholesterol into artery-clogging plaques.

Halibut is also a good source of vitamin B12 and vitamin B6--two B vitamins that, along with folic acid, lower levels of homocysteine. Homocysteine, an intermediate compound produced during the methylation cycle, is directly damaging to artery walls, and elevated blood levels of homocysteine are considered an important risk factor for atherosclerosis.

Last, but far from least, halibut is a very good source of magnesium. Magnesium is Nature's own calcium channel blocker. When enough magnesium's around, veins and arteries breathe a sigh of relief and relax, which lessens resistance and improves the flow of blood, oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. Studies show that a deficiency of magnesium is not only associated with heart attack but that immediately following a heart attack, lack of sufficient magnesium promotes free radical injury to the heart.

Promote Detoxification

In addition to halibut's omega-3s, the selenium it contains is a necessary component in one of the body's most important antioxidants--glutathione peroxidase--which is critical for a healthy liver, the organ responsible for detoxifying and clearing potentially harmful compounds such as pesticides, drugs, and heavy metals from the body. Selenium also helps prevent cancer and heart disease.

Description

Halibut is big. Not just in popularity and nutritional value, but also in size. It is actually one of the largest of all saltwater fishes and can weigh up to 155 pounds. Halibut can be found both in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Atlantic species being of larger size.

Halibut is delicious. With a slightly sweet yet mild flavor, it is a lean fish that features finely textured, snow white flesh.

History

People have been enjoying halibut as a food ever since this beautiful fish appeared in the Earth's waters, basically since time immemorial.

Halibut was considered a sacred fish throughout history and was oftentimes served on holidays, especially during medieval days in Europe. In fact, the English derivation for its name reflects the sacredness of this large flatfish since "hali" signifies holy, and "but" signifies flat.

Halibut, which is found in northern seawaters, is especially concentrated in the Pacific Ocean as well as the Atlantic coasts of Newfoundland and Greenland.

Nutritional Profile

Halibut is an excellent source of selenium, a very good source of protein, niacin, phosphorous and magnesium, and a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and potassium.