Is Fish Still Unsafe to Eat?

For years we were encouraged to consume fish as a healthier alternative to red meat. Of course that was until doctors found evidence that certain types of fish contain high levels of mercury, a type of poison that can lead to adverse health effects if eaten several times a week.

In 2000, newfound research suggested that mercury poisoning was a recurring problem in patients who ate several servings of fish a week. The media took that information and sensationalized it, causing people to believe that all fish should be cut out of their diets. But it turns out that you shouldn't give up fish so fast.

While all fish contain mercury, not all of these water-dwellers should be avoided. It is still safe to eat fish as long as you know what you're looking for. Big fish like king mackerel, tilefish, swordfish and shark contain high levels of mercury while salmon, catfish, haddock, shrimp and trout are perfectly safe to eat on a regular basis. Oysters, lobster, bass and halibut contain moderate levels of mercury.

Despite the worry over mercury, fish has many health benefits. Fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are pertinent for good cardiovascular health, and are great source of lean protein. It's even been shown that eating fish on a regular basis can alleviate symptoms of depression.

Considering the average American consumes less than a serving of fish on a weekly basis, it's unlikely that you'll suffer from mercury poisoning or should even be overly concerned with it. However, if you're a fan a big fish, like swordfish, think about cutting down to only a serving a week or less.

The only time you should be wary of eating fish is if you are a woman who is pregnant or trying to get pregnant. In addition, children should not be fed large portions of fish. For those who use tuna as a big staple in their diets, cut back on canned albacore tuna. Albacore has three times more mercury than light tuna. If you're breastfeeding, limit your tuna consumption to one six-ounce can a week and stick with light tuna.

Some symptoms of mercury poisoning include nausea, fainting spells and hair loss. If you are worried that you may have mercury poisoning, see your doctor right away.

Though you should be cautious in selecting which fish to eat, overall, research has shown that eating fish, especially those with low mercury levels are perfectly safe to eat, especially when it you're not a pregnant woman or trying to conceive. Again, severely limit consumption of swordfish and other big fish which have high levels of mercury.