Add Fish Low In Mercury To Your Healthy Diet
Do All Fish Always Include Mercury in Their Makeup?
No. On the other hand, even very small quantities of mercury may be found in the majority of fish and shellfish. There will be some with low content. Others will record levels of mercury that are closer to the average. However, there are kinds that have rather high mercury concentrations. The Food and Drug Administration issues a warning against overindulging in seafood that has moderate to high mercury concentrations.
It’s possible that you’re curious about the exact kind of mercury that’s found in fish. That would be methylmercury. Mercury is initially found in the atmosphere, and it later settles onto land and into bodies of water. When mercury comes in contact with bacteria and other microbes, the element is eventually transformed into methylmercury.
The problem is that marine creature will take it into their bodies and absorb it. Methylmercury concentrations tend to be greater in carnivorous fish, also known as fish that feed on other species of fish. Similar accumulations of the heavy metal methylmercury may be found in the waterways of huge fish and fish that have lived for an extended period of time in their habitats.
Who Should Avoid Consuming Fish Because It Contains High Levels Of Mercury?
Certain individuals are strongly discouraged from consuming fish and shellfish that are rich in mercury by experts. On the list are ladies who are now pregnant as well as women who are planning to get pregnant in the near future. Women who are nursing mothers are included on the list. Fish that are high in mercury content should also be avoided by youngsters under the age of 10.
There are several different and compelling arguments in favor of consuming fish low in mercury that is consumed via food. In point of fact, the body is capable of purging itself of any hazardous substances that make their way into the system. On the other hand, it might take your body a few months before it rids itself of the mercury accumulation. As a direct result of this, it will take your body more time to flush out all of the poison if it collects more of it.
Is It Healthy to Include Fish That Is Low in Mercury in Your Diet?
If you are going to consume meat, fish is a far better option than other types of meat. It is safe to eat low mercury fish varieties as long as you stick to the dietary limitations that have been established. There are positive effects on one’s health when fish is consumed on a weekly basis.
Fish has a minimal amount of fat. This helps decrease weight, which in turn lowers the chances of diabetes and high blood pressure. Besides being abundant in protein, fish aid in the growth and repair of muscle, bone, and other tissues. It contains heart- and brain-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. It decreases the chances of you having a heart attack, a stroke, and high blood pressure. It is even helpful in warding off Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Consider some of the following arguments in favor of avoiding exposure to high levels of mercury: To begin, methylmercury may cause harm to an individual’s brain and spinal cord. When exposed to the chemical for longer periods of time, there is an increased risk of injury. The harm will, alas, be permanent and impossible to repair.
Those who are expecting a kid or are already breastfeeding a child have to exercise caution with regard to the types of fish that they consume. Because mercury accumulates over time, people who are trying to become pregnant should avoid eating seafood that has a high mercury content. This is also important for those who are already pregnant. And there is a possibility that they will not have sufficient time to rid their bodies of this harmful substance.
There is a possibility that the kidneys, in addition to the brain, will be harmed. Additional potentially fatal side effects of methylmercury poisoning (https://www.epa.gov/mercury/health-effects-exposures-mercury) include the following:
- deafness
- blindness
- cerebral palsy
- lung issues, and
- mental functions that are compromised
Which Types of Fish Have the Highest and Lowest Levels of Mercury?
There are varying levels of mercury found in the flesh of various fish. Mercury traces may be low, medium, or high. Let’s go through a few of them here for you. Fish such as pollock, flounder, mullet, and haddock, as well as those already listed at the start of this story, have been shown to have low amounts of mercury.
In fish like carp, saltwater bass, and halibut as well as lobster, tinned tuna as well as freshwater perch, mercury concentrations are medium. You may have up to six servings of these every month without any adverse effects.
Regrettably, some species could have the highest mercury concentrations of all seafood. The species represented here include sharks, bigeye tunas, King mackerel, swordfish, marlins, and several groupers. It is highly recommended that you should not consume any of these sorts at all. The size of the palm of your hand, excluding the fingers, is about similar to one serving, therefore individuals who are unclear or confused about serving sizes or portion sizes may use this as a reference.
