YouTube: Seafood omega-3 vs mercury

Seafood can be a double edged sword because of beneficial omega-3 fats and detrimental mercury from pollution.  Large long-lived predatory fish like swordfish, shark and mackerel accumulate more mercury from the smaller fish they eat, making them ten times higher in mercury than tuna.  Tuna is high enough in mercury to reduce brain function in children when consumed in the amounts deemed safe by the EPA [Oken E et al, Environ Health Perspect 113 (2005) 1376], so an upper limit of 1 serving per week (one-half can or 2.5-3 oz) should be the upper limit during the development stages of life, including while in the womb i.e. by default for women when pregnant.  However, brain function increases when consuming seafood high in omega-3 fats low in mercury, such as shellfish, salmon and sardines.  Farmed salmon is high in cancer causing agents because of contaminated feed [Hites R et al., Science 303 (2004) 226], which is hopefully being addressed by the industry.  Canned salmon and sardines are generally caught wild, so these are convenient, healthy ways of eating on the go or with a busy schedule.  You can also meet your omega-3 fat needs with 2 fish or flax oil capsules per day, 1 tsp flax oil, 1 Tbsp flax seeds, 24 walnut halves, or 300 kcalories of fats from soy. 

Comments

[Health Advocate]

This is a very interesting contradiction that is presented about sea food. Indeed very few of us would be aware of the probability of mercury from pollution. A nice video!

[Gary Wesley]

Do you mean TB of flax oil below?
[from your youtube section]
You can also meet your omega-3 fat needs with 2 fish or flax oil capsules per day, 1 tsp flax oil, 1 Tbsp flax seeds, 24 walnut halves, or 300 kcalories of fats from soy.