Fish vs Shellfish

[jer.lawrence]

Random question. When I got my Dx a few weeks ago, I was talking to my doctor about some of the things I should be eating and staying away from. He recommended eating more fish, but added "but not shellfish."

Is there a reason for that? Do shellfish somehow contain more carbs...? I mean they're protein, right? Is there something else in there that isn't great for me?

He's just my PCP, not an endo or a dietitian or anything like that, but he seems pretty knowledgeable so I was pretty much taking his advice.

Thanks

[foxl]

Well used to be told to pts. because shellfish contain :eek:

that demon, cholesterol!

Not sure if that is your doc's reason, or not.

[jer.lawrence]

Could be -- my cholesterol was up a bit. Not too bad though -- 227 or something.

Although I'm sure I've brought it down significantly since then.

[foxl]

Could be -- my cholesterol was up a bit. Not too bad though -- 227 or something.

Although I'm sure I've brought it down significantly since then.

Yah, but you see dietary cholesterol has relatively little effect on our lipids ...

[ShottleBop]

Either that, or maybe for the omega-3s in fish (but it tends to be certain kinds of fish that really contribute omega-3s).

I just know to avoid "krab." (Fake crab--contains carbs.)

[jps]

Unless you have a shellfish allergy, I'm sure he's referring to the high cholesterol of shellfish.

But as foxl said, the primary source of cholesterol is our liver, not dietary.

Only a one man study of course, but I inceased my fat intake significantly, but slashed the carb intake drastically, and I saw a big improvement in my lipid profile (and my fatty liver turned to normal).

Somehow methinks fats (in general) aren't the culprit to our health woes. I still think man-made trans fats are bad for you as is anything in excess, but I don't think dietary fat is the causative agent with lipid problems.

[MCS]

Being the person I am and the relationship I have with doctors, first I would ask is why. If they say blah, blah, blah, they are just going by something they happened to have read somewhere. If they can give you a logical answer, go with it.

[Dis-N-Dat]

Maybe he/she's referring to the mercury levels in shellfish which have been rising over the last several decades, but you'll have to arm wrestle me for the clams! :D

[erik316]

I just got out of the hospital a few weeks ago and I was told the same thing. To eat more fish but not shellfish. My cholesterol was high so maybe that is the case.

[Joeprep4820]

I live less than 20 minutes' drive from the Chesapeake Bay. If a doctor told me to stop eating shellfish I think I would laugh at him.

[ant hill]

I love shellfish and fish in general. OK Shellfish is high in Cholesterol but then there are foods that will lower it too and that's what's missing. Oh, Exercise too. :o As that will naturally lower LDL's. ;)