Originally published October 21 2005
Harvard study reassesses the danger of mercury poisoning in fish
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Harvard researcher Joshua T. Cohen, PhD, authored a report that explains why the health benefits of eating fish outweigh the mercury warnings, which have overstated the danger to public health.
Have you cut back on eating fish because of mercury warnings?
If you have, a panel of risk-assessment experts says you're shooting yourself in the foot.
Mercury -- environmental methyl mercury -- does, indeed, accumulate in fish.
Methyl mercury is toxic, especially to the brains of fetuses and young children.
On the other hand, fish is full of omega-3 fatty acids.
These vital nutrients cut your risk of heart disease and stroke and aid children's early cognitive development.
Does what's bad about fish outweigh what's good about it?
Not at all, the expert panel reports in a series of five articles in the November issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Harvard researcher Joshua T. Cohen, PhD, is among the authors of the report.
"If you are not going to become pregnant, you should eat fish.
Mercury is not an issue for you," Cohen tells WebMD.
"If you are thinking of becoming or are pregnant, omega-3 fatty acids are important to your child, so stopping fish is not a good idea.
But given that mercury is a neurotoxin, eating low-mercury fish is something to strive for."
WebMD asked dietitian Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, director of sports nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and nutritional advisor to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pittsburgh Ballet.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Environmental Protection Agency, there are only four kinds of fish to avoid because of high mercury levels: shark, king mackerel, swordfish, and tilefish.
Albacore tuna and tuna steak should be limited to one serving per week.
Light canned tuna, shrimp, salmon, pollock, and catfish are commonly eaten fish that are low in mercury.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml