WHAT IS MERCURY, AND WHY IS IT A PROBLEM IN FISH?
Mercury is a naturally-occurring substance polluting the air. When mercury falls from the air, it accumulates in large bodies of water and turns into methylmercury. When methylmercury is absorbed by fish feeding in these contaminated waters, it builds up in their bodies, which means fish that are higher on the food chain will have higher levels of mercury than plant-eating fish that are lower on the food chain. Mercury is removed from the body naturally, but if people consume too much of it, heart problems can sometimes ensue. Experts recommend consuming no more than two servings of fish per week, but if you exceed that amount, don’t panic — just plan on cutting back the next week. For instance, if you eat four servings of fish one week, eliminate fish from your diet for a week to make up for the two extra servings. WHAT TYPES OF FISH ARE HEALTHIEST TO EAT? Fatty fish like salmon are usually the healthiest to eat. It’s also good to steer clear of fish caught near industrial areas and
