Originally published February 26 2006
New study shows the effects of methylmercury in fish could be counteracted with supplements
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
A new study published in Neurotoxicity and Teratology claims that supplementing fish with vitamin E and selenium could protect pregnant mothers against the effects of mercury poisoning.
The debate between the benefits of omega-3 intake from oily fish versus the potential toxicity of methylmercury is ongoing, with some researchers claiming that the benefits far outweigh the risks.
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a contaminant found in varying amounts in all fish, and has become such a health concern that a joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has set a provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of 1.6 micrograms per kg of body weight.
The new study, published on-line in Neurotoxicity and Teratology (doi:10.1016/j.ntt.2005.11.02), divided 75 female rats into five equal groups, each had their normal diet supplement with: nothing (control group), MeHg, MeHg plus selenium, MeHg plus vitamin E, and MeHg plus vitamin E and selenium.
The researchers found that supplementation with both vitamin E and selenium eased the effects of mercury toxicity in the offspring rats.
When supplemented with the nutrients independently, neither selenium nor vitamin E showed a significant effect on survival numbers.
Previous studies using adult animals had shown that selenium alone could reduce MeHg toxicity.
"These results suggest that antioxidant nutrients in the diet may alter MeHg reproductive and development toxicity.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency one in six pregnant women in the US have blood mercury high enough to cause foetal damage, suggesting that selenium and vitamin E supplements could ease the risk on the 650 000 babies born every year in the US.
The RDA for an adult human is set at 10 IU, with an upper safe limit of 900 IU.
The US FDA currently recommends expectant mothers to eat no more than two servings of oily fish per week.
Omega-3 supplementation of products has been a major growth area in the neutraceutical market.
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