Benefits of Fish
It seems the media can spin things to a point that is unhealthy. Over the past few years, we have read about the potential health hazards of eating fish.
There have been highly publicized stories about the association of certain species of fish containing methylmercury, dioxins, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
The cancer risk from consuming PCBs or dioxins in fish appears to be negligible, especially when stacked up against the likely cardiovascular protection offered by the consumption of fish. The mercury levels are very low and probably negligible for most individuals. The theoretical risk was extrapolated from animal data.
According to an article in JAMA , a review of the literature on the health effects of dietary fish or fish-oil intake has a reassuring message for seafood lovers, anyone eating fish for health reasons, and perhaps most everyone else.
The main message is really that everybody should be eating one or two servings of fish or seafood per week for their health.
The main results of the review showed that regular modest intake of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and the 2 long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) abundant in finfish and shellfish is associated with a 36% drop in coronary disease mortality (P < .001) and a 17% decrease in total mortality (P = .046). The n-3 PUFAs also appear to be important to early brain development.
The report did specify that pregnant women should avoid shark, swordfish, golden bass, and king mackerel, and restrict intake of albacore tuna to 6 oz per week to limit exposure to methylmercury and the concern over the developing child.
For the general population a weekly target of 1500 to 2000 mg of EPA and DHA is "reasonable" and could be met by one 6 oz serving per week of "wild salmon or similar oily fish, or more frequent intake of smaller or less n-3 PUFA-rich servings."
If you live in an area where higher levels of toxins are known to be a problem, then buying fish from other sources would be prudent as well as varying the types of fish being eaten.
For now, enjoy the fish and help your heart!
There have been highly publicized stories about the association of certain species of fish containing methylmercury, dioxins, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
The cancer risk from consuming PCBs or dioxins in fish appears to be negligible, especially when stacked up against the likely cardiovascular protection offered by the consumption of fish. The mercury levels are very low and probably negligible for most individuals. The theoretical risk was extrapolated from animal data.
According to an article in JAMA , a review of the literature on the health effects of dietary fish or fish-oil intake has a reassuring message for seafood lovers, anyone eating fish for health reasons, and perhaps most everyone else.
The main message is really that everybody should be eating one or two servings of fish or seafood per week for their health.
The main results of the review showed that regular modest intake of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and the 2 long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) abundant in finfish and shellfish is associated with a 36% drop in coronary disease mortality (P < .001) and a 17% decrease in total mortality (P = .046). The n-3 PUFAs also appear to be important to early brain development.
The report did specify that pregnant women should avoid shark, swordfish, golden bass, and king mackerel, and restrict intake of albacore tuna to 6 oz per week to limit exposure to methylmercury and the concern over the developing child.
For the general population a weekly target of 1500 to 2000 mg of EPA and DHA is "reasonable" and could be met by one 6 oz serving per week of "wild salmon or similar oily fish, or more frequent intake of smaller or less n-3 PUFA-rich servings."
If you live in an area where higher levels of toxins are known to be a problem, then buying fish from other sources would be prudent as well as varying the types of fish being eaten.
For now, enjoy the fish and help your heart!
posted by Anonymous at 5:57 AM
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