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A 33-year-old male asked:
what is the definition or description of: mercury in fish?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in

Dr. Gurmukh Singh answered
Pathology 49 years experience
What is says: Mercury is released into the air from industrial activities, mostly burning of coal. It is take up by marine organisms that are then eaten by fish and mercury accumulates in the top predators.
Consult this site for more info:
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/tc/avoiding-mercury-in-fish-topic-overview#1
For good health - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Drink enough water daily, so that your urine is mostly colorless. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form.
Practice safe sex, if you have sex.
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Similar questions
A 32-year-old member asked:
Has there been any widespread documented health problems related to mercury in fish?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Gurmukh Singh answered
Pathology 49 years experience
Japan: An epidemic of neurologic disorders in children in minamata, japan was traced to consumption of fish containing high levels for mercury from industrial discharge.
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A 43-year-old member asked:
I am curious about mercury in fish. Is fish good for you or not?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

Dr. Michael Fisher answered
Dermatology 32 years experience
Mercury in fish: Some fish, however, contain high amounts of mercury -- enough to damage a fetus or newborn. That is why pregnant and nursing mothers must be very careful about the amounts and types of fish they eat. Young children should also avoid eating fish high in mercury. According to the fda, pregnant women and small children (under 6) should not eat more than 2 servings of fish each week.
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A 39-year-old member asked:
Is there a way to reduce the amount of mercury in fish?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Sarah Kohl answered
Travel Medicine 35 years experience
Can't remove mercury: Mercury increases throughout the food chain and is in largest concentrations in carnivorous fish. ('bioaccumulation') the mercury is in the flesh of the fish and cannot be removed through any process. It is best to avoid consumption of certain species known to have high levels of mercury. See http://water.Epa.Gov/scitech/swguidance/fishshellfish/outreach/advice_index.Cfm for more details.
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A 29-year-old member asked:
Mercury in fish, why is it so bad for you? Should we never eat fish?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

Dr. Michael Fisher answered
Dermatology 32 years experience
Mercury in fish: Some fish, however, contain high amounts of mercury -- enough to damage a fetus or newborn. That is why pregnant and nursing mothers must be very careful about the amounts and types of fish they eat. Young children should also avoid eating fish high in mercury. According to the fda, pregnant women and small children (under 6) should not eat more than 2 servings of fish each week.
5804 views
A 45-year-old member asked:
Why is mercury in fish on the rise?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

Dr. Joseph Woods answered
Pathology 28 years experience
Likely pollutants.: Because of the chemical wastes dumped into rivers and lakes, etc. For many decades, there is more mercury in fish. Also, there are many more fishing vessels catching more fish in the world, so there is more exposure to mercury. Still anotyer reason is due to fish at the top of the food chain eating others and concentrating mercury in them.
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Last updated May 17, 2017
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