Seafood and Mercury
What is the concern?
Some studies have shown that the consumption of seafood containing excessive amounts of mercury may cause harm to the developing nervous system of unborn children. There is also a possible link between excess mercury and heart disease.
What is Mercury?
Mercury is deposited into water through industrial pollution or run-off from soil. When this occurs, bacteria in the water change the mercury to methylmercury. Methylmercury is the substance found in some seafood. However, the term "methylmercury" is often simplified to just plain "mercury."
Why is mercury found in some fish?
Small organisms take in mercury as they feed. As fish eat those organisms, they too take in mercury. Nearly all fish contain trace amounts which are not harmful to humans. However long-lived, predatory fish that feed on other fish accumulate the highest levels of mercury.
Should all people be concerned about consuming mercury in seafood?
In March of 2001, the Food and Drug Administration advised pregnant women, women of childbearing age who may become pregnant, nursing mothers and young children to avoid consumption of shark, king mackerel, tilefish, and swordfish. These fish have much higher levels of mercury.
Should women of childbearing years avoid all fish?
The FDA acknowledges that seafood can be an important part of a balanced diet. By being informed about mercury and making wise choices, you can still enjoy the delicious flavors and health benefits of eating seafood. Select a variety of other fish for your healthful diet while you are pregnant or may become pregnant. Choose a variety and limit yourself to 12 ounces of cooked fish per week. I recommend canned sardines, herring and Pacific red sockeye salmon.
Can I remove the mercury by cooking or cleaning the fish?
No. The mercury is in the flesh and cooking or cleaning does not remove it. I like to remove the skin from the fish. It is my understanding that this may cut down the amount of mercury in the fish. This is not verified by any credible source, however I instinctively do this and enjoy the presentation and taste better that way.
This just in . . .
Researchers at the University of Rochester have been studying methylmercury since the early 1970s. A large population research study was completed in the Republic of the Seychelles. Seafood is a major portion of the diet in the Seychelles, with most people eating at least one seafood meal per day. The study found "no evidence that consuming large quantities of fish is associated with adverse effects on adults or children."
Thanks to Wegmans Consumer Affairs for their vigilance in producing information important to healthy eaters. They can be reached at wegmans.com or at 1-800-WEGMANS ext. 4760. More information on mercury levels by species can be found at www.fda.gov .
Some studies have shown that the consumption of seafood containing excessive amounts of mercury may cause harm to the developing nervous system of unborn children. There is also a possible link between excess mercury and heart disease.
What is Mercury?
Mercury is deposited into water through industrial pollution or run-off from soil. When this occurs, bacteria in the water change the mercury to methylmercury. Methylmercury is the substance found in some seafood. However, the term "methylmercury" is often simplified to just plain "mercury."
Why is mercury found in some fish?
Small organisms take in mercury as they feed. As fish eat those organisms, they too take in mercury. Nearly all fish contain trace amounts which are not harmful to humans. However long-lived, predatory fish that feed on other fish accumulate the highest levels of mercury.
Should all people be concerned about consuming mercury in seafood?
In March of 2001, the Food and Drug Administration advised pregnant women, women of childbearing age who may become pregnant, nursing mothers and young children to avoid consumption of shark, king mackerel, tilefish, and swordfish. These fish have much higher levels of mercury.
Should women of childbearing years avoid all fish?
The FDA acknowledges that seafood can be an important part of a balanced diet. By being informed about mercury and making wise choices, you can still enjoy the delicious flavors and health benefits of eating seafood. Select a variety of other fish for your healthful diet while you are pregnant or may become pregnant. Choose a variety and limit yourself to 12 ounces of cooked fish per week. I recommend canned sardines, herring and Pacific red sockeye salmon.
Can I remove the mercury by cooking or cleaning the fish?
No. The mercury is in the flesh and cooking or cleaning does not remove it. I like to remove the skin from the fish. It is my understanding that this may cut down the amount of mercury in the fish. This is not verified by any credible source, however I instinctively do this and enjoy the presentation and taste better that way.
This just in . . .
Researchers at the University of Rochester have been studying methylmercury since the early 1970s. A large population research study was completed in the Republic of the Seychelles. Seafood is a major portion of the diet in the Seychelles, with most people eating at least one seafood meal per day. The study found "no evidence that consuming large quantities of fish is associated with adverse effects on adults or children."
Thanks to Wegmans Consumer Affairs for their vigilance in producing information important to healthy eaters. They can be reached at wegmans.com or at 1-800-WEGMANS ext. 4760. More information on mercury levels by species can be found at www.fda.gov .
posted by Stan Kent at
10:30 PM
|
0 comments
