People who eat 24 ounces or more of fish per week should avoid high-mercury choices. The EPA sets a limit for the amount of mercury that can be found in fish and shellfish at 0.1 microgram per kilogram of body weight per day.
That’s about one-tenth of the daily recommended intake for most people. These include heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium and lead, as well as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a group of chemicals that have been linked to cancer, birth defects and other health problems.
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Can you get mercury poisoning from eating fish everyday?
In general, mercury toxicity is not a concern for people who eat modest amounts of fish (1 to 2 servings per week). If you eat fish more than five times per week, you should consume a variety of seafoods and avoid those that are high in mercury.
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, talk to your healthcare provider about how much fish you should be eating. If you have a family history of mercury poisoning, you may want to limit your fish intake to one or two servings a week.
What happens if you eat too much fish?
Too much exposure can lead to mercury poisoning, with effects like hearing, vision, and coordination challenges, even though a small exposure has not been shown to offer a huge health threat. Some people may experience weakness in their muscles as a result of being exposed.
“It’s important to remember that exposure to mercury is not a good thing,” said Dr. Michael Siegel, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco, who has studied the health effects of mercury in children. “It can cause damage to the central nervous system, which can lead to learning and memory problems, as well as behavioral problems.
Can you get mercury poisoning from eating too much salmon?
According to the FDA, since salmon mercury content is so low, you can eat two to three serving per week and feel good. Some consumers are at a higher risk of mercury toxicity than others.
For example, pregnant women, children, the elderly, and people with certain medical conditions may be at greater risk. The FDA recommends that you limit your consumption of canned salmon to no more than two servings a week. If you are concerned about your health, talk to your doctor.
Is it OK to eat fish everyday?
For example, if you are pregnant or nursing, you should limit your fish intake to no more than one fish per week. If you have a medical condition that makes it difficult for you to consume fish regularly, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, then you may need to limit the amount of fish you eat to one or two servings per day.
What fish has highest mercury?
Larger and longer-lived fish tend to contain the most mercury. These include shark, swordfish, fresh tuna, marlin, king mackerel, tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico, and northern pike. Smaller fish with small amounts of mercury in their tissues are more likely to be eaten by larger fish.
Mercury is a naturally occurring element that occurs naturally in the earth’s crust and in seawater ( 1 ). It is also a byproduct of the breakdown of organic matter ( 2 ).
How much fish is too much?
She recommends two to four ounces of fish per week for good health. The FDA only recommends one 7-ounce helping per week of large fish, such as shark and swordfish. Officials advise no more than 14 ounces of seafood a week, or one serving per day, for seafood with lower levels of mercury.
