Keto Means
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What is the healthiest tuna in a can?

Canned light tuna is the better, lower-mercury choice, according to the FDA and EPA. Canned white and yellowfin tuna are higher in mercury, but still okay to eat. Bigeye tuna should be avoided completely, but that species isn't used for canned tuna anyway.

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My recent experience in the canned tuna aisle at the store went something like this: me, immobile, studying the cans and pouches with their shiny labels, wondering which kind of tuna I should be eating again. Albacore? Yellowfin? Does it matter?

Actually, it matters a lot, seafood experts say, given how much canned tuna we eat (2.2 pounds a person annually, according to the National Fisheries Institute). It's one of the three most popular types of seafood in the United States and has been for a decade now (because really, who's to argue with a well-made tuna sandwich)?

But all that demand takes its toll, resulting in overfished populations, a tremendous amount of bycatch—that is, other marine life caught with the tuna—and labor violations against those working in the industry. Combined with the controversial issue of mercury levels in tuna, it's no wonder I blanked out. "The U.S. is the largest market in the world for canned tuna, so we have a lot of influence in how these fisheries operate," says marine biologist John Hocevar, ocean campaign director for Greenpeace USA, which recently released a canned tuna shopping guide. The good news, he says: "We're really happy to see that at this point you can walk into most big supermarkets and find at least one pretty decent canned tuna option, and that wasn't the case even two years ago."

Here's how to tell the decent from the not-so-decent:

Bycatch is a big problem

Most supermarket canned tuna is caught using the purse seine method—basically giant nets cast over schools of fish. The "worst-case scenario" is when the nets are used with floating fish aggregating devices, or FADs, which attract all sorts of sea life, not just tuna, says Carrie Brownstein, global seafood quality standards coordinator for Whole Foods Market. According to Hocevar, tuna fishing kills millions of sharks and hundreds of thousands of sea turtles every year.

There's no one best tuna type

Skipjack (aka light), albacore (aka white), and yellowfin are the most common types of canned tuna. But bycatch and overfishing happen regardless of tuna species, so it's hard to say that one is better, ecologically speaking, than the rest, says Brownstein. Skipjack stocks are generally doing better than albacore in terms of abundance, but albacore populations in some parts of the world are better managed and healthier than others. It just depends. And don't assume that that expensive can of oil-packed tuna means anything other than, well, it's packed in oil rather than water.

So what should I look for?

The easiest thing is to look for "pole-and-line caught" or "troll caught" on the label. This means the tuna was caught one fish at a time, not swept up en masse with other marine life. Another good indicator is the MSC-certified seal. The Marine Stewardship Council assesses specific fish populations and catch methods and how well fisheries are managed, and is considered the most reputable in terms of certification, says Brownstein.

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Does low-carb help with depression?

Increasing substances that play critical roles in managing stress, anxiety, and mood. Low levels of these substances have links to clinical depression. Following a ketogenic diet may increase circulation of the substances which transmit neurons, potentially improving depressive symptoms.

How the Keto Diet May Cause Depression

Not everybody adjusts well into ketosis. Sometimes, your body may experience symptoms that are difficult to manage, including headaches, sleep disturbances, cramping, and fatigue. Although this may resolve by increasing your fluid intake, dealing with such symptoms can lead to depression. ‌Other issues caused by a keto diet. Although the keto diet has many potential benefits, it may cause problems like nutrient deficiencies, kidney problems, liver issues, constipation, and mood swings. Try to eat many different varieties of fruits and vegetables to avoid some of the issues that come with being on a keto diet.

Tips to Consider

Since other weight loss methods exist, you should discontinue keto if you notice new feelings of depression. However, if you're using the diet to manage your blood sugar or epilepsy, then consult your doctor for further guidance. Some of the strategies that you can consider if you want to continue with the diet include:

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