Introduction: Fish not only vary in texture, but according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, different fish have different therapeutic effects and contraindications. Are you eating the right kind? Is it half the effort for double the results, or double the effort for half the results?
Crucian Carp:
It functions to tonify Qi, strengthen the spleen, promote urination to reduce edema, clear heat and detoxify, unblock collaterals, and promote lactation. Patients with ascitis can find relief by consuming a soup made from fresh crucian carp and red beans. Stewing live crucian carp with pork trotters and consuming both the fish and the soup can treat insufficient lactation in postpartum women. Crucian carp oil is beneficial for its functional properties and can also reduce blood viscosity and promote blood circulation.
Common Carp:
It functions to strengthen the spleen and whet the appetite, promote urination to reduce edema, stop coughing and calm wheezing, calm the fetus to prevent miscarriage, promote lactation, and clear heat and detoxify. A soup made from common carp, winter melon, and scallion can be used to treat inflammatory edema. Stewing a large common carp (with its scales on and guts removed) and consuming it in portions can treat jaundice. A soup made from live common carp and pork trotters can treat insufficient lactation in postpartum women. A soup made with common carp and a small amount of Chuanbei powder (Fritillaria powder) can treat coughing and wheezing.
Silver Carp:
It functions to warm the middle energizer and tonify Qi, warm the stomach, and moisten the skin. It is considered a food that warms the middle and tonifies Qi.
Black Carp:
It functions to tonify Qi and nourish the stomach, transform dampness and promote urination, expel wind and relieve vexation. The trace elements it contains, such as zinc and selenium, help in cancer prevention.
Snakehead Fish:
It functions to strengthen the spleen and promote urination, remove stasis and generate new tissue, clear heat and expel wind, and tonify the liver and kidneys. Snakehead fish cooked with ginger and red jujube can be an adjunctive treatment for tuberculosis. Snakehead fish stewed with brown sugar can treat nephritis. Postpartum women can consume steamed snakehead fish to promote lactation and nourish the blood.
Cuttlefish:
It functions to nourish the liver and kidneys, tonify Qi and blood, clear the stomach and expel heat, nourish the blood, improve vision, regulate menstruation, calm the fetus, facilitate delivery, stop bleeding, and promote lactation.
Grass Carp:
It functions to warm the stomach, pacify the liver and expel wind. It is a health food that warms the middle and tonifies deficiency.
Hairtail:
It functions to warm the stomach, tonify deficiency, moisten the skin, expel wind, kill parasites, and nourish the five organs. It can be used as an adjunctive treatment for prolonged and chronic hepatitis.
Eel:
It functions to tonify Qi and nourish blood, soften the sinews and benefit the bones.
Who Should Avoid Eating Fish
1. Patients with bleeding disorders should avoid eating fish. These patients already have low platelet counts and poor blood clotting function. Fish contains a protein called EPA, which inhibits platelet aggregation. Eating fish can worsen capillary bleeding.
2. Patients with cirrhosis should avoid certain fish. The fat in fish contains eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an unsaturated fatty acid. Its metabolites can lower blood lipids and viscosity and inhibit platelet aggregation, which is beneficial for preventing cardiovascular diseases. However, in cirrhosis, the body has difficulty producing clotting factors, and with low platelet counts, bleeding is easily triggered. Eating fish rich in EPA, such as sardines, tuna, and black carp, can easily worsen the condition.
3. Tuberculosis patients should be cautious about eating fish during anti-tuberculosis treatment. When tuberculosis patients take isoniazid, consuming certain fish can easily cause allergic reactions.
4. Gout patients should not eat fish. Fish is rich in purine substances, and gout is caused by a disorder in the body's purine metabolism.
How Pregnant Women Can Eat Fish for Better Health
1. Eat more deep-sea fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and shark.
2. When cooking, try to use methods like boiling. A light diet is better.
3. For pregnant women who are allergic to fish, it may be a good idea to switch to specialized nutritional formula foods for pregnant women to reduce the likelihood of the baby developing an allergic constitution. Never force yourself to consume fish to avoid physical discomfort.
4. A special reminder: Pregnant women should eat fish, but it is best to avoid fish oil, as it can affect blood clotting function. Consuming too much may increase the risk of bleeding.