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Tilapia Fish Dangers

Americans are often encouraged to consume fish as part of their weekly diets due to the healthy omega-3 fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory properties. Tilapia is the fifth most consumed fish in the United States, according to a 2008 study by the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, largely because it is readily available and inexpensive. In some cases, tilapia may do more harm than good, however.

  1. Fatty Acids

    • Farmed tilapia contains high levels of potentially harmful omega-6 fatty acids. Farmed fish are often fed on inexpensive corn-based feeds to keep the price of the meat low. The American Heart Association recommends at least two servings of fish a week for healthy individuals and 1 gram of omega-3 fatty acids per day for patients with heart conditions. Most farmed tilapia contains less than 1/2 gram of omega-3 fatty acids per 100 grams of fish, according to the findings of the 2008 Wake Forest University study. The harmful fatty acids in tilapia combined with higher levels of saturated fats can encourage plaque buildup in the arteries.

    Inflammation

    • The omega-6 fatty acids found in tilapia can lead to potentially dangerous internal and external inflammation. These dangers are especially potent for patients with arthritis, asthma and heart disease. Patients with these conditions often supplement their diets with more fish to get the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, but many patients do not realize that tilapia may do more harm than good. Patients with allergies and autoimmune disorders are also particularly vulnerable to inflammatory attacks that can be brought on or worsened by the omega-6 fatty acids in tilapia.

    Ecosystem Dangers

    • Tilapia that are introduced into lakes and streams to improve fisheries and help control mosquitoes can actually have a negative effect on the ecosystem. Tilapia are inexpensive and breed rapidly, making them a seemingly ideal choice to populate bodies of water for mosquito control. The fish often move in on the habitat of native fish, causing their populations to diminish. Mosquito control from tilapia does not often have the intended effect of reducing malaria in African and tropical countries, since many malaria-carrying mosquitoes breed in small pools and water containers that are not populated with fish.

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