How much fish do you eat?
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Lately, a shadow has perched itself over the fish oil industry. While no one disputes the benefits of a diet rich in omega fatty acids, Rachel wrote about a number of studies pointing to myths associated with fish oil. Most recently, a new study was released that confirms that any benefits that come from fish oil are cancelled out but excessive mercury in the system.
According to Environmental Health News, methyl mercury is transferred to people who eat the fish, which is especially concerning for pregnant women whose children are exposed while developing in the womb.
The study, published in Environmental Research, said this:
"Of the five nutritional components evaluated, only the beneficial effects of DHA - as measured by the children's test scores - were negatively impacted by increased mercury exposure. The nutritional benefits of DHA were significantly reduced and then disappeared altogether at the higher exposures."
Bottom line: DHA, an omega fatty acid chain has many health benefits but when paired with mercury-laden fish oil, those benefits are cancelled out by the side effects of mercury poisoning.
