Avoid over-consumption of certain fish - swordfish, etc.

[RiskTaker]

This topic is intended to raise your awareness for the potential of mercury poisoning from an abundant consumption of certain fish species: in particular, swordfish, tuna, kingfish, tilefish and shark among a few others listed in attached articles. (If you eat these fish, please respond to the polling question.)

It is quite probable that most viewers on this forum may consume more swordfish and other species than the general population. As such you need to be acutely aware of the risks of methylmercury poisoning when eating these fish regularly and at least once a week.

For me, I have had a steady diet of team-caught swordfish the entire summer: this consists of having a large portion at least one time per week on-average, plus the left-overs of another one or two steaks after dinner parties. I can only imagine the diets of the people that like to eat these fish AND are catching multiple swordfish every month, perhaps, in addition to other implicated species.

This is not intended to "freak you out" or to deter you from catching these fish but simply to inform you and suggest that you regulate your consumption over time.

The general rule of thumb, eat swordfish and all other implicated species, only once a week. Feed only very small portions, if at all, to very young children under 5. And women that may become, or are pregnant should not eat any of these fish. The dangers of neurological damage to the newcomers are REAL. Give the kids a chance to grow up to mid-size before exposing them to these fish that we so highly prize for tablefare.

Attached are some selected articles that may provide additional background on the subject matter.

http://www.orthobluejournal.com/CMEarticles/art054.asp
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/2020/...h_feature.html
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/reprints/mercury.html
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/b...h?OpenDocument
http://www.independent-media.tv/item...der%20Reported

Bon Salud and Bon Appetit in Moderation,

RiskTaker

[RiskTaker]

Wow Bad news for me if I ate 40 ounces of swordfish one week. Imagine 3 - 13 oz. steaks.

Admin. Mike has a new link on the Gallery, called "Got Mercury?"

I clicked on the link... dialed in my estimated weight, picking swordfish and just picking 40 oz. of fish consumed for the week.

My mercury percentage was reported back at 1430% where the FDA maximum of 100% would be recommended to be in the safe zone.

You may want to give it a try with various quantities and species of fish. RT