Why Shrimp Is Bad For You

Have you ever noticed that in the world of healthy eating there are as many labels, theories, practices and preferences as there are people? Do you know two people who are exactly alike in their version of what is or is not acceptable in terms of healthy foods? The term 'vegetarian' can mean those who eat no meat at all but do eat eggs and cheese....or not.

'Vegan' is another term whose definition is up for grabs; some vegans eat honey and bee pollen and wear leather clothing, others consider those to be fake vegans. Raw food eaters vary in their opinions of what a raw food diet should ideally consist of as well. It all boils down to what works for an individual at any given time along the path of their so called dietary evolution.

However, no matter what level of the raw food diet a person is eating, there is one food that I am sure they can all agree on that should never be consumed by anyone: shrimp!
Shrimp is making a comeback as more and more people are discovering the value of including seafoods in their diet for improved health. A smarter move for those who are enjoying the benefits from a raw food diet would be to eat seaweed as their seafood intake.

However, many people that are adjusting to a completely raw diet still eat shrimp once in a while for the perceived health benefits like Omega-3 fatty acids, protein and zinc. What they do not know is that it is extremely high in mercury, harvested from polluted waters, and oftentimes can carry diseases that can be passed on to people!

Certain species of shrimp contain a substance called Domoic Acid which causes a condition known as Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning. There is also a risk of contracting such scary sounding diseases as Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning (NSP), Diarrheic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP-eww!) and as if those weren't enough how about exposing yourself to the possibility of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP)?

Symptoms generally appear within 24-48 hours of consumption, and they can include significant neurological difficulties that are sometimes permanent. NSP, commonly associated with certain species of shrimp, attacks the nervous system. Some of the symptoms can include double vision, dizziness, nausea, tingling of the mouth and lips, swollen throat, and diarrhea. The symptoms of DSP range from abdominal pain and diarrhea to nausea and vomiting. PSP differs in regards to toxicity to humans but the most relevant symptom is paralysis shortly after consumption.

You can easily get as much protein, zinc and Omega 3-s leading a balanced raw food diet as you can from including amounts of potentially harmful shrimp. You can get all the nutrients you need by eating a wide variety of raw foods, and if you really adore that seafood flavor, you can always include seaweed in your diet, which is high in minerals as well. I say, why risk your health just for a few nutrients that can be found somewhere else?

As we all find our way to eating the most nutrient dense and risk free diet on the planet, we must stay informed and learn as we go so that we can make appropriate changes. As for me, now that I know better, I can without hesitation leave the shrimp cocktails behind in favor of a healthy sized plate of leafy greens. I think we can all agree, eating shrimp is a JUMBO sized mistake and certainly not worth all the risks!

source : articlesnatch