Is anyone else concerned about fish?

nancy324

nancy324

Cathlete
For the last 2 years or so, my lunch consisted of a salad with chunks of salmon or tuna. Now the EPA says we need to limit our consumption of farmed salmon to one serving per month. Dr. Weil says tuna is high risk for mercury.

Wild salmon is not offered by most places where I buy lunch. My lunch places don't offer mackeral or sardines and I'm not even sure I like them much, but those are the fish that Dr. Weil recommends.

Is anyone else struggling with this fish problem? I love fish, but eating it has become almost impossibly difficult. How are others dealing with this?

-Nancy
 
A couple of months ago Oprah had two doctors in her show and she asked them this question. I taped it and I went back and watched it so I can give you the exact same words that were said. Dr. Michael Roizen gave a list of the "safe" fish: Tilapia, Salmon, Flounder, Cod, and Mahi-Mahi and mentioned we should eat them 3 times a week. Of all those the only one I've never had is Mahi-Mahi because it is sooooo expensive over here, the rest I try to have them at least three times a week. I buy Cod fillets at Costco because I can buy a huge packet that lasts a lot (great taste, quality and price too) and they are soooooo good and they have less fat than a serving of salmon (I also love salmon and tilapia --but I love salmon more-- and I also get them at costco.) Lately I've been trying not to eat out and I take my own lunch to work, that way I know what I'm getting.
 
Hi, Nancy. It's probably too much. I have taken to buying Tongol Tuna for Rich. At one point, I thoght he was llking raeally unwell and I came to the conclusion I was killing him with the convenience of tuna for dinner when he worked late. They are labelled chunk light in the U.S. but they are the finest quality. They are small tuna and that reduces the mercury content dramatically. They are line caught off the shores of Thailand and they are sustainable.

Here's a link to another resource for safer tuna: http://www.eurocbc.org/lower_hg_jig...core_tuna_env_friendly_04apr2004page1566.html

Here's an article regarding fish and mercury.

Fish and Mercury Poisoning
A peer-reviewed study, slated for publication Nov. 1 in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, of Californians who ate fish shows 89 percent wound up with elevated mercury levels in their bodies. The study, presented at a symposium of environmental health experts in Vermont, is one of the first studies to document mercury levels in Americans who eat fish. It is widely beleived that fish is a high quality protein source loaded with heart-protecting Omega 3 fatty acids (also found in seeds like flax seed). Researchers tested the mercury levels of patients who reported eating more than two servings of fish a week, the maximum the EPA recommends for pregnant women and small children. The tests showed that 89 percent of 116 patients tested showed mercury levels greater than the 5 parts per million recognized as safe by the National Academy of Sciences. Of that group, 63 people had blood mercury levels more than twice the recommended level and 19 showed blood mercury levels four times the level considered safe. Four people had mercury levels 10 times as high as the government recommends. The study monitored 67 patients as they reduced their fish intake and subsequently their bodies' mercury levels. Within 41 weeks, all but two had reduced their blood mercury levels to below government-recommended thresholds. About 78 percent of patients with high mercury levels reported eating canned tuna more than three times a month; 74 percent ate salmon more than four times a month; and 72 percent said they had swordfish more than once a month. Other fish commonly eaten by the patients included halibut, ahi, sea bass and sushi.

Source: The primary sources cited above, New York Times (NYT), Washington Post (WP), Mercury News, Bayarea.com, Intellihealthnews, Deccan Chronicle (DC), the Hindu, Hindustan Times, Times of India, AP, Reuters, AFP, womenfitness.com etc.
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"

Tell me, what it is you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? -Mary Oliver
 
Omigod. I wonder if my doctor's routine tests report mercury levels?
I just sent vitalchoice.com an email begging them to produce canned tuna in water. The only one they make has olive oil in it, and I won't eat it.

Where do you buy Tongol tuna?
 
Wow, when you see the breakdown like that. I know that I eat the tuna in the pouch which is in water more than three times a week. I probably eat salmon about 4-6 times a month. Hmmm, so what do we eat instead.

Thanks for the information.

Dallas
 
Thanks for the heads up Nancy...I must be living under a rock!

My youngest son eats tuna fish about 4 times a week. I am going to go hide it now! What exactly are the implications of high mercury levels?

Tammy
 
Nancy, the health food chain in Tucson, Wild Oats, carries Tongol tuna as does Trader Joe's. I also read that troll caught albacore tuna is smaller and safer than the commercially popular brands. One is packed in it's own juices and nothing more. I will Google tomorrow and get you links. There ARE safer alternatives available.

Here is some information on mercury poisoning but don't panic. Take steps to reduce your exposure and know there are safe alternatives. I like wild Alaskan Sockeye as well as Tongol tuna and I will most definintely try to find a source for troll caught Albacore. Fish is good food if you arm yourself with the knowledge of how to consume it safely. :)

This is the link to the mercury information.
http://www.pp.okstate.edu/ehs/training/mercury.htm I think we need to become militant environmentalists and stop the things that are making the world toxic, that's what I think!
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"

Tell me, what it is you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? -Mary Oliver
 
Last night I ordered some cans of tuna from http://www.maryluseafoods.com/modules/news/

This morning I got an email saying my order is already on its way! This tuna claims to have 1/3 the mercury of commercial brands. But even it can't be eaten daily. I also ordered some canned salmon from vitalchoice.com. I don't like canned salmon as much as the fresh salmon I usually get for lunch, but I'll just have to get used to it.
 
BOO-HOO Nancy,

I love Orange Roughy. Aside from chicken, it's my favorite. And now another Mad Cow situation.

Again, damn it I say :)
 
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