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The presence of mercury in fish is a health concern for people who eat them, especially for women who are or may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and young children. Fish and shellfish concentrate mercury in their bodies, often in the form of methylmercury, a highly toxic organomercury compound.
That being said, it’s best for certain populations, including young children and women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, to limit their consumption of higher-mercury fish and shellfish.
In general, the healthiest fish and shellfish are: High in omega-3 fatty acids. High in protein. Low in mercury. Sustainable. The healthiest seafood choices are very high in omega-3s, says Patton ...
Current research suggests that 2-3 servings of low-methylmercury containing fish per week in pregnancy is both safe and beneficial. [6] Mercury accumulates in fish through their own diet (bioaccumulation). A general rule of thumb is that fish higher up on the food chain, and with longer life spans will contain higher levels of mercury.
Elemental mercury and methylmercury are two forms of mercury that may pose risks of mercury poisoning in pregnancy. Methylmercury, a worldwide contaminant of seafood and freshwater fish, is known to produce adverse nervous system effects, especially during brain development.
Canned fish is recommended as part of a healthy diet, but in moderation. It may be safe for some people to eat low-mercury canned fish daily, the experts note. "It depends on what you’re eating ...
Minamata disease is a neurological disease caused by severe mercury poisoning. Signs and symptoms include ataxia, numbness in the hands and feet, general muscle weakness, loss of peripheral vision, and damage to hearing and speech. In extreme cases, insanity, paralysis, coma, and death follow within weeks of the onset of symptoms.
The fetal brain is especially sensitive to mercury, so children and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid high-mercury fish like king mackerel. Fish is also a source of ...