Fish
is among the healthiest foods you can eat. It's filled with good fats and
protein, and has been shown to fight heart disease, boost brain health, and
more. You can easily cancel out these health benefits if the fish you eat is contaminated
with mercury, antibiotics or harmful chemicals like PC B's. All fish, every
single fish on this planet have some level of mercury; however, some have much
higher levels than others. Take a look at our list of the top 15 most
contaminated fish on the market today. Avoid eating these or eat them in very
small quantities, unless you are an expectant mother, in which case, avoid
these fish entirely.
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Shark
– Because this
fish is at the top of the food chain, it consumes other fish to survive – and oftentimes,
those other fish have already been contaminated with mercury, which means
sharks levels veer into dangerously high territory. This means any type of meat
eating shark such as Long fin Mako, Short fin Mayo, Black tip or common
Thresher shark. Because sharks are at or near the top of the food chain, they
consume other types of fish as their main source of food.
Ø
Sword
Fish – This
tropical fish is also a top predator that feeds on other fish tainted with
mercury. Although swordfish is hugely popular, this beautiful, tropical fish
has been found to contain some of the highest levels of mercury among all
larger sized edible fish. These fish contain high levels of a very strong
neuron-toxin called methyl mercury. The toxin can easily cross the placenta in
pregnant women, and has the potential to damage the nervous system of the
unborn fetus.
Ø
King
Mackerel – This voracious predator is definitely on the
no-no list. Mercury builds up in the body. The findings are consistent and King
Mackerel contain high levels of mercury. Kind Mackerel sometimes called King
fish are a common part of sport fishing. Although some authorities feel that
it's safe to eat this fish if it's less than 33 inches long and weights 10
pounds or less.
Ø
Tile
Fish – Atlantic
Tile Fish a yummy predator that ranges from the Gulf of Mexico to New England,
appears to be OK, but unless you know for certain exactly which species you are
eating, you are better off just writing this one off. Tile Fish, despite the
warnings about excessive mercury contamination, is often seen on restaurant
menus. Tile Fish are popular because it's a mild tasting, white meat fish that
has a flavor similar to crabs or lobsters and tends to be a little sweet.
Ø
Albacore
Tuna or Tuna Streaks – Tuna
is a tricky one to keep track of, as some species seem to be OK, while others
are downright scary. Albacore Tuna contamination runs around the middle of the
scale so if you are a tuna lover, eat no more than six ounces of this every
week. There are two types of canned tuna : solid or chunk white, which is
albacore tuna. The mercury levels are almost three times higher than canned
light tuna.
Ø
Spanish
Mackerel - Spanish Mackerel are actually
related to tuna. They can grow to three feet in length and because they live
more closely to the shores, they can easily become contaminated by mercury that
is being released into the ocean via slow moving coastal rivers.
Ø
Orange
Rough – Orange
rough, which are part of the slime head family can take as long as 40 years to
reach full maturity. Amazingly these fish can live as long as 150 years! This
means that, besides being easily over fished, they have many years to
accumulate mercury and other toxins into their flesh. Orange rough live in the
deep waters off the Western Pacific ocean, Eastern Atlantic Ocean, South
Africa, New Zealand, Australia and the Eastern Pacific Off Chile. Although they
are actually a deep brick-red color, their flesh fades to a yellow orange after
death, hence their name.
Ø
Blue
Fish - This is another fish that is
tricky. It is a great low fat, protein rich source of those omega-3 fatty
acids, but it can be full of dangerous toxins including PC B's, pesticides and
of course mercury. Blue fish can become contaminated from storm run-off,
agricultural chemicals, and industrial discharges, but they can also be
contaminated when they eat natural toxins of some varieties of bacteria and
algae.
Ø
Chilean
Sea Bass - As if it's not bad enough that
this fish is contaminated with higher levels of mercury than the United States,
and most other countries, feel is dangerously unsafe, they have also been
hunted to the brink of extinction. If you see Chilean Sea Bass listed for sale,
it's either a different type of fish with an erroneous label, or it has been
caught illegally. Technically there is no Chilean Sea Bass. This is a marketing
name because many people, especially Americans, find its true name a bit
distasteful. Chilean Sea Bass are actually called Patagonian Tooth Fish.
Ø
Pacific
Ocean Perch – Mercury
does more than accumulate in fish; it also accumulates in the human body. This
bi-accumulation in seafood carries over to human beings, where it can result in
mercury poisoning. Each succession of fish absorbs the mercury that came from
each fish that was consumed by the previous fish. Pacific Ocean perch is
commonly served in many restaurants as well as being caught by sports
fishermen.
Ø
Atlantic
Cod - It
gets confusing sometimes, whether to eat fish from the Pacific or the Atlantic,
but it really does make a difference. Everyone feels badly about adding this to
the “do not eat” list, because New England fishermen rely on this fish for
their economic livelihood, but besides being contaminated with mercury, the
chronic mismanagement of this fish by the National Fisheries Services has placed
this fish just one step above making the endangered species list. Until this
fish species recovers its numbers, eat Pacific cod, which is still extremely
plentiful and not nearly as contaminated.
Ø American Eel - American Eel is sometimes referred to as silver eel or even yellow eel.
This fish, which is most commonly found in sushi restaurants, found its way
here due to high levels of contamination from both mercury and PC B’s.
Unfortunately, this tasty fish is also suffering from more than just pollution,
but overfishing as well. If you love the taste of eel, avoid the poisons and
contamination and choose either Atlantic caught squid, or even Pacific caught
squid, as both taste almost exactly the same, but are plentiful and have low
contamination levels. Mercury can impair the nervous system and brain
development, especially in infants, young children, and developing fetuses.
Ø Atlantic Flatfish - Atlantic flatfish include such fish as sole, halibut, and flounder that
are caught off the Atlantic coast of the US. These, like many of the fish from
the Atlantic Ocean, are heavily contaminated due to industrial waste as well as
being over fished. In fact, these fish populations are as low as 1 percent of
what is thought to be necessary for sustainable, long term fishing, according
to the Food and Water Watch. Consider eating other fish that have the same mild
flavor and white flesh, such as tilapia or Pacific halibut.
Ø Caviar- Most of the caviar
consumed in the US comes from wild caught sturgeon or beluga, which have been
over fished for years. In fact, these species are also being threatened by an
increase in the production of dams, which pollute the water in which these fish
live. You can reduce your risk of becoming contaminated by varying your seafood
choices. When you do this, you minimize overexposure to any particular
contaminant that one species might contain.
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