1. Mercury Causes Fish Poisoning
You've probably heard that fish is good for you. Fish is packed with omega 3 fatty acids, which protect us against stroke and heart disease. In fact, according to the American Heart Association, we should eat fish twice a week. However, most fish contains at least trace amounts of mercury. This environmental toxin can harm the brain and nervous system. A classic example of mercury poisoning occurred in 1953 when a number of people became ill, many died and infants were born with birth defects in Minamata, Japan. It turns out that a manufacturing plant in the region was discharging mercury into the waters of the bay. Some of the affected families had been eating fish from the bay every day.
2. Not All Fish is Good During Pregnancy
Physical deformities and mental deficiencies can occur in an unborn child if the mother eats fish that contain high mercury levels. Because mercury is so dangerous for developing brains and nervous systems, don't eat king mackerel, swordfish, tile fish or shark if you are pregnant or nursing. If these fish live in contaminated waters, they absorb large amounts of mercury. Pregnant or nursing women should eat 12 oz. or less of ocean, coastal, or commercial fish (cooked or canned) and 6 oz. or less of cooked fresh fish caught by family or friends.
3. Farm-Raised Fish no Better
You might think farm-raised fish are a good solution, but that's not necessarily true. Fish raised on farms receive antibiotics and junk feed such as soy meal. Some farm-raised fish eat scavenger fish such as carp and catfish, which contain high levels of toxic PCBs.
4. Trust Your Local Fish Monger
Good fish markets know the source of their fish and they don't sell fish that come from polluted waters. The law states that people who sell fish must label it as wild or farm-raised, but a good fish monger will also be able to tell you where they caught the fish.
5. Calculate Your Consumption
If you really want to know if you're getting too much mercury in fish, go to the National Resource Defense Council website (http://www.nrdc.org) and use their online mercury calculator. They'll ask you how much you weigh as well as the quantity and type of fish you consumed. Press the button and they'll let you know if you're safe.
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