You may have heard about the risks of mercury poisoning from eating certain fish. Here are some tips to minimize your risk. Read on to find out which types of fish are low in mercury.
In addition, you can learn how to identify the symptoms of mercury poisoning and learn about the types of fish you can eat without fear.
Symptoms of mercury poisoning
Mercury poisoning is a potentially dangerous condition, but it is rarely life-threatening. A doctor can determine if you have been exposed to mercury through a physical examination and blood tests. They will also ask about your diet and environmental factors.
They may recommend chelation therapy to remove the metal from your body.
High levels of mercury in the blood can cause long-term neurological damage. Exposure to mercury is especially dangerous in young children.
It can affect motor skills, and physical functions, and even cause learning disabilities in some children. In addition, high levels of mercury can cause developmental problems in the brain and other parts of the body.
Chelation therapy is a treatment that helps the body remove mercury from the body. The procedure uses special compounds to bind with mercury in the blood and eliminate it. It is not a cure for mercury poisoning, but it can help minimize the effects of exposure.
However, you should avoid eating mercury-containing foods, working in environments that contain mercury, and taking medications that can increase the level of the toxic metal in the body.
The most common source of mercury poisoning is fish that has been exposed to high levels of metal. Mercury is particularly dangerous for children and pregnant women.
It builds up in the body over time, so it’s best to avoid fish that contain high levels of mercury, especially if you’re pregnant. Mercury is also passed through breast milk, which makes it particularly harmful for your unborn baby.
Because mercury is a highly toxic metal, it can be easily absorbed by the body. The most common source is seafood, but it can also be found in other places such as industrial processing, dental work, and old paint.
Even the smallest amounts of mercury can lead to mercury poisoning.
The EPA recommends that you consume no more than eight micrograms of mercury per kilogram of body weight every day. The exact number of micrograms is not known, but a 176-pound adult can eat up to 13 ounces of fresh salmon per day without exceeding the daily limit.
If you’re pregnant, however, you should reduce your consumption of large fish and choose smaller, more delicate varieties.
Mercury from fish affects the nervous system. Studies have shown that infants whose parents have eaten fish that is contaminated may suffer lifelong changes in brain function. This could affect their ability to coordinate, think, and communicate. It can also affect vision, hearing, and speech.
Furthermore, people who have elevated mercury levels have a higher risk of heart disease. Eating fish with high mercury concentrations is therefore dangerous.
While there are no definitive symptoms of mercury poisoning, there are some signs that may point toward it. High levels of mercury in the stomach contents and kidneys suggest mercury toxicity.
A physician should treat any suspected mercury poisoning by emptying the stomach and treating it with dimercaprol.
Sources of methylmercury in fish
One of the most common sources of methylmercury in fish is the energy industry. Mercury is a heavy metal that can travel thousands of miles in the atmosphere and is often deposited in large bodies of water.
It can also be washed downstream from a land surface. In its natural state, mercury is relatively harmless, but once it has been exposed to sunlight and other contaminants, it can change into a toxic form and endanger human health.
The highest concentrations are found in the largest predatory fish. These fish contain as much as 10 million times more methylmercury than the surrounding environment.
Because of this, parents are urged to limit their children’s consumption of canned tuna. It is also important to understand the bioaccumulation of methylmercury in aquatic food chains.
Fish containing a high level of mercury can cause fetal brain and developmental problems in unborn children. However, small amounts of mercury can be found in the flesh of whales.
These cetaceans contain about 13 mg per kilogram, and the consumption of these fish can have health consequences, especially for pregnant women. Furthermore, subsistence hunters and fishers are at an increased risk of methylmercury exposure in fish.
The amount of methylmercury in fish is mostly found in open ocean fisheries. This type of fish is responsible for more than half of the mercury consumed by the U.S. population.
The primary regions for tuna fishing are the South Pacific and Equatorial Oceans. In addition to tuna, shrimp are also an important source of methylmercury in the U.S. diet. Between 2010 and 2012, shrimp accounted for four out of 10 seafood meals.
Although fish is an important source of nutrition, the risk of methylmercury overexposure from eating too much of it is significant. While current recommendations target overexposure to methylmercury from fish consumption in children, the dangers associated with chronic low-level exposure in adults are much higher.
The symptoms of methylmercury poisoning are vague, and detection is difficult without appropriate tests. These tests can include hair analysis and blood analysis.
The amount of methylmercury in fish varies, and some fish are higher than others. For example, fish sourced from the Gulf of Mexico or off-shore waters may contain more mercury than fish from other regions.
These high-risk fish include those that are long-lived and high-food-chain species. In addition, cetaceans can bioaccumulate mercury and other pollutants.
Therefore, whale meat and other whale products may contain excessive levels of mercury.
Despite the high risk of mercury exposure, fish can be a great source of protein and are a necessary part of a healthy diet. The amount of mercury in fish depends on the type, size, and age of the fish.
However, fish with average mercury levels under 0.4 mg/kg are considered safe to eat.
Commonly eaten fish and shellfish that are low in mercury
The FDA recommends eating 12 ounces of cooked fish per week, preferably from smaller ocean fish or farm-raised varieties.
However, shark, swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, and tuna steaks should be avoided unless they are part of a special diet. Children younger than six can safely eat half a can of light tuna or a similar low mercury fish meal each week.
Depending on the type of fish, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration recommends eating about eight to twelve ounces of fish per week. It is best to choose fish that are low in mercury. This includes canned light tuna, salmon, catfish, pollock, and shrimp.
However, it is important to note that albacore tuna contains more mercury than canned light tuna and is therefore not recommended for regular eating.
Some fish contain high levels of mercury, such as shark and escolar. In addition, some shellfish such as ling are high in mercury.
Mercury naturally occurs in the air and water and is present in many foods. However, pregnant women should avoid eating fish that have a high mercury content because it can affect their unborn child’s development.
Fish and shellfish are an important part of a healthy diet and are low in saturated fats and contain varying amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.
Studies show that fish consumption is associated with improved health. However, fish consumption should be a part of a healthy eating pattern and should not exceed a portion of caloric intake.
Fish and shellfish that are low in mercury are especially important for growing children and for the development of the developing nervous system.
The Food and Drug Administration and Environmental Protection Agency recommend eating eight to twelve ounces of fish and shellfish that are low in mercury per week.
However, pregnant women should limit white tuna to six ounces per week. In addition, they should avoid eating large predatory fish such as sharks and tilefish.
High levels of mercury in the bloodstream can affect the developing nervous system and the brain. However, the risk of mercury poisoning from fish is low for most adults. However, pregnant women should heed the EPA’s guidelines when eating fish.
The EPA advises pregnant women and young children to avoid mercury-laden fish.
Mercury can be found naturally in the environment. But it can be released into the water when fish is caught and processed. As a result, it can accumulate in the body of humans. It is a neurotoxin that can damage the nervous system and affect reproductive health.
Mercury is especially dangerous to pregnant and nursing mothers and young children.
If you’re looking for a delicious, low mercury fish to eat, sardines are a great option.
They’re high in omega-3s and are relatively low in mercury. They’re also good sources of protein and calcium. Just be sure to rinse them well before cooking them.
This will reduce the sodium content in the meat.
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