Does Fish Contain High Levels Of Mercury

These figures are measured in micrograms of mercury per 4 ounces of.

Does fish contain high levels of mercury.

Eat up to 12 ounces 2 average meals a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are. List of low and high mercury concentration levels in fish includes chart of fish species safe and not safe for pregnant women and the public to eat. The risk of mercury poisoning is real if you eat a lot of fish especially fish that have a high concentration of mercury. 2020 06 08 synopsis and key points.

Fish is one of the best sources of protein omega 3 fatty acids and other nutrients including iron potassium and b vitamins unfortunately much of our world s seafood supply is contaminated with high levels of toxic mercury. Do not eat shark swordfish king mackerel or tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury. Fish and shellfish concentrate mercury in their bodies often in the form of methylmercury a highly toxic organomercury compound. Remember the younger and smaller the fish the safer since the amount of mercury increases every time a larger fish eats a small fish.

Shark swordfish tilefish king mackerel. But nearly all fish contain at least a trace amount of mercury. Some of the fish and seafood with high mercury levels include. Ideally all seafood contains mercury.

That s because it s a great source of protein micronutrients and healthy fats. You may also sort the table by species in alphabetical order. However some seafood has high levels of mercury while some have minute levels. Some fish however contain high amounts of mercury enough to damage a fetus or newborn.

Mercury levels in fish. Opt for organic farm raised seafood that contains lesser amounts of mercury such as wild alaskan salmon eel crab shrimp and catfish. That is why pregnant and nursing mothers must be very careful about the amounts and types of fish they eat. Fish products have been shown to contain varying amounts of heavy metals particularly mercury and fat soluble pollutants from water pollution species of fish that are long lived and high on the food chain such as marlin tuna shark swordfish king mackerel and.

The concern over this issue hovers over the otherwise positive benefits of eating seafood. Species chart and information. All fish contain trace amounts of mercury. Fish is one of the healthiest foods you can eat.