Fish oil capsules are made by extracting the oils from some fatty fish, such as mackerel, herring and sardines. One concern regarding taking fish oil supplements is that they may contain significant levels of environmental contaminants, such as mercury. Although most fish oil products do not contain significant amounts of mercury, you should still talk to your doctor before taking fish oil supplements.
What Is Mercury?
Mercury is an element that can be found in the air, soil and water. Mercury can be found in some household items that can release mercury into the air if they break, but the most common cause of mercury poisoning is due to consuming foods that are contaminated with mercury, including fish. Mercury in the air can dissolve into water and be absorbed by fish, including the fish used to make fish oil capsules. According to the Food and Drug Administration, mackerel typically has more mercury than other kinds of fish, and mackerel may also be used as a source of fish oil.
Why is Mercury in Fish Oil Capsules Dangerous?
Mercury is toxic even at relatively low levels and damages tissues in the body. Mercury exposure is particularly dangerous if you are pregnant, as the nervous system of your fetus is more vulnerable to the effects of mercury. Mercury can impair many different facets of a child's nervous system, including the parts of the brain associated with cognition, language, memory, attention and fine motor control. Adults who consume fish oil contaminated with mercury may also develop nerve damage, resulting in loss of peripheral vision, "pins and needles" feelings in the extremities and problems with coordination.
Mercury in Fish Oil Capsules
Although mercury can potentially get into fish oil capsules, proper manufacturing practices can help reduce the amounts of contaminants that get into these compounds. For example, fish oil capsules that are prepared using a purifying process known as molecular distillation are unlikely to have any mercury in them. The Environmental Defense Fund has made inquiries to many manufacturers of fish oil products to make sure their products are purified in a way that meets strict safety standards. The majority of fish oil supplements are purified in a way that prevents dangerous levels of mercury from accumulating.
Safety
If you are pregnant or are concerned about mercury levels in fish oil, talk to a doctor or dietitian to get a better idea of what fish oil brands are safe. Whenever possible, purchase pharmaceutical-grade fish oil, as it is more carefully regulated. Be sure to let your doctor know if you are taking fish oil capsules because, although these products are generally safe, they can cause some health problems, including an increased risk of bleeding.
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