Avoid Mercury in Fish 2009 - Families Beware of Certain Fish That Contains High Levels of Mercury

Kids and pregnant adults should especially be carefullight tuna is the better alternative to albacore as it
not to consume an excess amount of fish thattypically contains less mercury and is in the group of
containers larger amounts of mercury. Fish is usually abetter fish to eat. Typically the types of fish high in
very healthy food and contains all important omega 3mercury are also high in PCBs and lead.
fatty acids. Parents want to do the right thing byThe fish with the lowest amount of mercury are those
serving healthy fish to families for better cardiovascularthat are not predatory fish, usually small ones like
health, but here are a few pitfalls to avoid in order toanchovies, sardines, shrimp, salmon and whitefish.
reduce intake of fish that is high in mercury.These are the fish types with the least amount of
Mercury has been known to cause neurologicalmercury and not on a list to be concerned about.
damage at higher exposure levels. A recent 2009An alternative to getting your weekly fish intake is to
study has shown that mostly all of the fresh streamconsider Fish Oil supplements as it seems the popular
fish in the United States contain at least traces ofbrand fish oils do not contain harmful levels of mercury
Mercury (HG) and at least 25% of the stream fishas the fish used to produce the oils are most likely not
contains a disturbingly higher amount than the EPAin the dangerous group.
recommends.In any case, it is best to limit intake of albacore tuna to
The warning was mainly referring to fish caught byonce a week at maximum and if you regularly eat
sport fishers in streams and not the supermarket ortuna, it may be best to consider the Canned Light
restaurant fish we consume. However, there are evenTuna (darker type of tuna) as an alternative that has
some types of supermarket and restaurant fish, freshless mercury in it.
or canned, that contain mercury and should also beAs parents, being aware of all of the nutritional pitfalls
limited to eating once a week.can help us feed our families healthier. For more
The most dangerous fish to consume which typicallynutrition tips for parents and safety warnings, check
shows the highest levels of mercury include shark,out Parents Nutrition Information. So keep eating fish,
kingfish and swordfish. Also to be somewhatbut lay off of the fresh stream fish (at least in the U.S.),
concerned about is canned albacore tuna. If you areshark, albacore tuna or other predatory fish and stay
going to buy canned tuna for your family the cannedhealthy!