Fish and shellfish: A source of harmful mercury
mis à jour le 14 July 2015 à 18:33Some fish and shellfish could be swimming in toxins, such as mercury. Here are some tips on how to enjoy them without the risk.
"Heavy metals rejected by the industrial and mining groups are found in run-off water, grounds, rivers, then oceans", explains Dr Franck Gigon. "They hence pollute all marine life". Approximately 5% of the mercury poured into the oceans is ingested by fish (in the form of methylmercury). Yet, in high doses, this metal destabilizes the immune system and the hormonal balance. It also increases the appearance of fibromyalgia, neuro-degenerative diseases (Parkinson, Alzheimer) and mood disorders (depression, anxiety). So, should we deprive ourselves of seafood? On the contrary, even "filled" with heavy metals, seafood remains an excellent source of proteins and omega 3. Consumed twice a week, it reduces the risk of depression, infarct and cerebrovascular accident, as confirmed in very recent studies.
ANTITOXIC STRATEGY
- To enjoy the virtues of fish without filling our bodies with mercury, we just have to choose well. The large predators, who live for a long time and gobble up a quantity of contaminated preys, are the most polluted. Thus, tuna, swordfish, monkfish, halibut, ray and shark consumption must be limited to twice a month at most. On the other hand, we can overeat small-sized fish, such as sardine, mackerel, anchovy, herring, sole and, particularly, salmon. If wild salmon is often in the firing line, it is less contaminated than the farmed variety and even organic salmon, according to a survey led by 60 million consumers last July.
- Shellfish, which filter litres of sea water all day, can be also saturated with mercury. "Taking a capsule of chlorella - bio if possible - at the end of meal allows you to savour them safely", notes Dr Franck Gigon. Indeed, this microseaweed gets the mercury before it is absorbed by the bowel, and is thus eliminated". It is a simple and cheap way to avoid overdosing on heavy metals.
Read more from our "pesticides" report:
Fruits and vegetables: Home for pesticides
Meat and dairy products: Beware of dioxins and PCBs
Healthy eating: how to avoid carcinogenic acrylamide grocery products
Kitchenware: Choosing toxins-free varieties
Sylvia Vaisman
