Mercury in Fish
Mercury in fish may contribute to high levels on mercury in your body and in your heavy metal tests.

  
February 13, 2009
Keith D. Bishop, Clinical Nutritionist, B.Sc. Pharmacy, Health Coach©

In Oklahoma, beef and fried catfish country, 1/4 of my clients test high for mercury in the Comprehensive Urine Elements Profile. One source of mercury is fish. Mercury in fish occurs in ocean and fresh water sources. Mercury is a by product of several manufacturing processes including burning coal for electricity. The mercury is released into the atmosphere and returns to the earth in rain and snow. Check your state and EPA resources for mercury concerns in local waters and fish.

All surface waters on the earth now contain mercury. A fish can become toxic in mercury by eating other fish and animals that live in the water that eat other animals. Predatory fish are highest in mercury content. Fish that typically eat plant and small animal based foods are usually lower in mercury levels.

LEAST MERCURY
Enjoy these fish:
Anchovies
Butterfish
Catfish
Clam
Crab (Domestic)
Crawfish/Crayfish
Croaker (Atlantic)
Flounder*
Haddock (Atlantic)*
Hake
Herring
Mackerel (N. Atlantic, Chub)
Mullet
Oyster
Perch (Ocean)
Plaice
Pollock
Salmon (Canned)**
Salmon (Fresh)**
Sardine
Scallop*
Shad (American)
Shrimp*
Sole (Pacific)
Squid (Calamari)
Tilapia
Trout (Freshwater)
Whitefish
Whiting

MODERATE MERCURY
Eat six servings or less per month:
Bass (Striped, Black)
Carp
Cod (Alaskan)*
Croaker (White Pacific)
Halibut (Atlantic)*
Halibut (Pacific)
Jacksmelt (Silverside)
Lobster
Mahi Mahi
Monkfish*
Perch (Freshwater)
Sablefish
Skate*
Snapper*
Tuna (Canned chunk light)
Tuna (Skipjack)*
Weakfish (Sea Trout)

HIGH MERCURY
Eat three servings or less per month:
Bass (Largemouth)
Bluefish
Grouper*
Mackerel (Spanish, Gulf)
Sea Bass (Chilean)*
Tuna (Canned Albacore)
Tuna (Yellowfin)*

HIGHEST MERCURY
Avoid eating:
Mackerel (King)
Marlin*
Orange Roughy*
Shark*
Swordfish*
Tilefish*
Tuna (Bigeye, Ahi)*

Reference Source