But Wait! is that Fish Safe to Eat?

Eating fish is an important part of good nutrition. They are a good source of protein and are low in saturated fats, they contain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids that contribute to lowered cholesterol levels, they help to reduce high blood pressure and prevent coronary artery disease. And they are fun to eat! Just ask the relatives at the next salmon barbeque, clam bake, or fish fry.

Many people are concerned about the safety of fish consumption. Mercury contamination is a national concern, addressed by the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency. The FDA deals with commercially caught and sold fish and seafood while the EPA handles recreational fishing issues. As long ago as the 1970's, America and the world became caught up in the awareness of PCB contamination.

According to http://www.healthCastle.com an internet source for nutrition information, most fish and even some shellfish and seafood contain certain amounts of mercury. They report that for most of us eating fish with these trace amounts of mercury poses no health risk, but there are those for whom this does not hold true, most notably, unborn infants and small children.

Fish found in certain areas reportedly may carry varying amounts of PCB's (polychlorinated biphenyls). Banned in 1976, these industrial compounds persist in the environment and find their way in fish through absorption of contaminated sediments and food sources. Humans can rid their bodies of mercury over a period of time but PCB's remain stored in human body fats for many years.

The Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency revised their mercury contamination advisories for fish in March of 2004. Here are their new recommendations:

• Pregnant women, women who are planning to become pregnant, nursing mothers and young children should avoid eating some types of fish altogether and eat only those fish that are known to have lower to no levels of mercury.