Paleo Adventure

Will You Be Eating Frankenfish?

Bob Poole — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 12:02:06 -0500

Do you like eating salmon? I love it and have even had the pleasure of catching my own a couple of times. However, for the past ten years I’ve only eaten wild Pacific salmon that I buy online and have shipped. Once you’ve tasted it you’ll never want to go back to the farmed salmon. But this is actually a story about a salmon marketing strategy. It seems that our wild populations are dwindling although not everywhere. Some places are seeing growth in the wild populations.

However, farming salmon is a bit of a problem. Not only are there problems with disease but it takes 3 pounds of feed to grow 1 pound of salmon. Enter AquaBounty Technologies with a simple solution – the AquAdvantage® Salmon. Not a King, Chinook, Coho or Sockeye but an AquAdvantage.

They describe it on their website: The AquAdvantage® fish program is based upon a single, specific molecular modification in fish that results in more rapid growth in early development. This enables shorter production cycles and increased efficiency of production. In the case of AquAdvantage® Salmon, these benefits will permit the use of alternative production systems which have substantial environmental and fish health benefits which are not economical for conventional Atlantic Salmon.

Yes, you read that correctly, AquaBounty has produced a genetically engineered Atlantic Salmon. By splicing in a gene from Chinook salmon with DNA from an Ocean Pout which looks like an eel on steroids, the AquaAdvantage salmon can grow twice as fast.
Kind of sounds like the 2004 horror film Frankenfish. So what are the odds of a genetically engineered fish soon showing in your supermarket? I’d like to tell you slim and none but I’m afraid you might be seeing them very soon at a restaurant or market near you.

According to the site Frankenfish.com and Time magazine, preliminary reviews by FDA officials suggest a bias toward approving this Frankenfish for consumption in the United States. Documents released by FDA staff said the altered salmon are “as safe to eat as food from other Atlantic salmon.” The agency said it found “no biologically relevant differences” in vitamins, minerals or fatty acids.

Putting aside the vitamin, mineral and fatty acid question you should also consider that the FDA report found the genetically altered salmon had high levels of tissue inflammation suggesting a problem with their immune systems which might mean the need for more antibiotics to be fed to the fish. And, they also contain higher levels of an insulin growth hormone than wild fish. Think about that as you enjoy that salmon roll or broiled fillet.

It seems like if the FDA had their way we’d already see this in the marketplace. But, there are some large organizations and legislators who are ready to fight to stop them. The American Council on Science and Health says it is fine to eat the fish and it is an unfounded health scare. But, I’m a little dubious when in the same article they also say high fructose corn syrup is not to blame for obesity – consuming too many calories is the problem. Huh? Really! Wow!

What’s your take on genetically modified fish? Shrimp are next on the list as well as other species of fish.

Are you ready to sit down to a dinner of Frankenfish?

Photo courtesy Andy Martinez and Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary

The Paleo Diet Cookbook - Live Interview

Bob Poole — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 14:53:02 -0500

Here is an interview I just completed with Dr. Loren Cordain, the rockstar and godfather of The Paleo Diet along with Nell Stephenson. The two of them along with Lorrie Cordain co-authored a brand new recipe book entitled, "The Paleo Diet Cookbook: More than 150 recipes for Paleo Breakfasts, Lunches, Dinners, Snacks, and Beverages."

Nell is a ten time Iron Man Tri-Athlete and has qualified for the World Championship four times. You'll want to hear what she says about Paleo and endurance sports.

Loren is the world's foremost authority on the evolutionary basis of diet and disease. Featured on Dateline NBC, the front page of the Wall Street journal, and the New York Times, Loren Cordain is widely acknowledged as one of the world's leading experts on the natural human diet of our Stone Age ancestors.

I hope you enjoy the interview.

Welcome to A Paleo Adventure

Bob Poole — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 13:08:06 -0500

In July 2010, I was talking to a good friend of mine by the name of Tim Brownson. Tim hails from Great Britain but has lived in the Orlando, FL area now for 6 years. We were talking about diet and weight and he casually mentioned he was going to check out something called The Paleo Diet. I filed that away in my head and Googled it a few days later.

What I found has changed my life for the better. For example, I've lost 50 pounds in the last ten months.

I hope by sharing my journey with you here along with some tips and posts from the foremost leaders in the Paleo Diet world you will also benefit from improved health and fitness.

So welcome. I'm glad you're here. Let's make this a two-way conversation. I'm looking to both inspire and be inspired by your own Paleo Adventure.

It's My Birthday but I'm Not Crying

Bob Poole — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 13:49:00 -0400

Here is a Paleo Diet update. A warning about a very nasty Malware virus that can infect your PC through a LinkedIn email. And, lastly, an offer for free books for you and any sales organizations. To get your free books simply send an email to me at bob@bobpoole.com and give me the necessary mailing information. I'll get back to you to verify before we ship.

Thanks and enjoy the video.

The Pursuit and Denial of Pleasure

Bob Poole — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 13:52:00 -0400

Or, Why Giving Up Something You Enjoy Can Make You Feel Even Better!

The video below is an update for my Paleo way of eating including total pounds lost to date.

And, it contains some news about a challenge my friend the eminent Life Coach Tim Brownson threw out at me over the weekend.

It involves alcohol.

Please take a look and here is the link to the interview with Dr. Loren Cordain, the inventor of the Paleo Diet.

Enjoy!

The Paleo Diet Interview with Dr. Loren Cordain

Bob Poole — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:39:00 -0400

I had the pleasure today of interviewing Dr. Loren Cordain, author of The Paleo Diet. I personally have learned it isn't a diet but a way of eating for life. The interview is about 30 minutes long and goes quickly as I think you'll find Dr. Cordain to be fascinating.

Also, if you have a friend or relative suffering from autoimmune disorder, especially multiple sclerosis, pay attention to what he says about the last five years of his research.

And, as always, thanks for tuning in!

The Paleo Diet Interview with Dr. Loren Cordain

Paleo Update

Bob Poole — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:03:00 -0400

Here's the first update about my new way of eating. I told you I'd keep you posted and I'd love to hear your feedback. I've lost 23 pounds in exactly one-month and I feel fantastic. Take a look and listen. Thanks.

Diet and Health Before Business

Bob Poole — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:59:00 -0400

If viewing in email you may have to go to the blog site to see video.