Tuna Consumption: The Good and Bad! For You and It’s Population.

The heart-health benefits of eating fish has been long known by the general public.   Over the last few years,  the craze for eating  fish that contain high amounts of the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids — DHA and EPA omega-3 — such as tuna,swordfish and salmon has increased dramatically.  The high levels of omega-3 fatty acids have been known to reduce one’s triglycerides, heart rate, blood pressure, and atherosclerosis. 

So, what do a majority of people do when they find out something is good for them or they like it?  Yep, you got it.  They don’t eat or take it in moderation.  They actually take, buy and reap whatever and whenever they can get at massive quantities.  Sounds like politics right? 

Anyhow, this over consumption and overfishing leads to something that goes from a positive benefit to both a negative health and environmental disaster.

Overconsumption:

Fish higher on the food chain begin to accumulate higher than normal Mercury levels as they eat other fish that contain small levels of Mercury and methyl-mercury.  Tuna is one of those fish that tend to store higher than normal levels of Mercury in their viscera.   Hence, as I stated above, most people over consume and tend to think more is better.  Guess what?  This is why obesity, illness and every other food related disease has skyrocketed.  High levels of mercury has been to have negative impact on Fetal Neurodevelopment.  Some studies pointing to a correlation of a higher stroke incidence.

Overfishing Tuna:

The demand for Bluefin tuna  around the world has attributed to the tuna population in the Atlantic Ocean to decline over 70% in the last 30 years.  Many scientist predict overfishing for tuna and other popular fish will wipe out the breeding population of Atlantic bluefin tuna by 2012.  The demand for sushi has escalated which creates more demand from Japan to build vast Mediterranean fleets to set up miles and miles of nets and to use illegal spotter planes to track the warm-blooded tuna.  Slaughtering off the population which leads to a cascade affect of other fish becoming wiped out.

Summary:

Tuna is a great source of  lean protein and omega-3 fats.  Yet, eat tuna sparingly throughout the month and rotate your foods.  Never eat too much of anything.  Purchasing a cold pressed omega-3 supplement is a great way to get all the benefits of fish oil without the high levels of mercury.

Most adults will not see the ill affects of over-consuming too much tuna or fish that contain higher levels of mercury.  Young children, infants and Pregnant women should definately eat smaller quantities of fish containing the higher levels of mercury such as tuna, swordfish, shark,king mackeral or tilefish.  Fish that are lower in mercury are shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon,pollock and catfish.  Albacore tuna has higher levels of mercury than light tuna.  Note: fish sticks etc..are usually made of Pollock or cod and contain lower levels of mercury.  Teens and adults can eat up  to 12 ounces of the fish lower in mercury per week and 6 ounces of fish higher in mercury.  Yet, I would not give any fish high in mercury to young children, infants or pregant women.

Oh ya, save the tuna and cut back on its consumption.  Try the other varieties of fish and enjoy!

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