Over here at Immunocorp, we love to eat sushi, so much so that we wonder how high our mercury levels must be. But there is a better way to get omega-3s without environmental contaminants.
Is Mercury in Fish a Real Threat?
We know that some species of fish contain this toxic element, and it has increasingly affected the health of millions of people. The bottom line is that we want to avoid our exposure to mercury as much as possible. Exposure to methlymercury is associated with chronic fatigue syndrome, autoimmune conditions, ADHD, autism, as well as memory loss, irritability and blurred vision. But, even if you are not experiencing any of these ailments, exposure to this heavy mental could still be having an effect on your health.
How Can You Get Enough Omega-3 Fatty Acids Without Being Exposed to Mercury?
Most fish that are high in mercury are typicially big fish, like tuna, swordfish, shark, bluefish, king mackerel, opah, tilefish, and wild sturgeon. And when we eat high-mercury fish, this toxic element is absorbed by the body, mainly in the kidneys and brain. However, omega-3s are essential for heart and cognitive health. We recommend supplementing your diet with an omega-3 rich marine oil in order to support healthy omega ratios.
What Should You Do If You’re Convinced Your Omega-3 Levels Are Low?
First, you need to get tested to make sure your levels of omega-3 are actually low. There are home test kits that can give you an unbiased view of your omega-3 index. Should you not have a healthy omega-3 index, we generally suggest supplementation with calanus oil.
Are Calanus Oil Supplements Safe?
Calanus oil supplements undergo rigorous testing to ensure they are free from contamination with heavy metals and other undesirable compounds. Quality formulas, such as Arctic Ruby Oil, also pass the rigid testing standards established by USP (United States Pharmacopeia) guidelines for metals including mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium.
So if you decide to reduce your intake of fish that contain mercury, consider supplementing with calanus oil. A great resource to check mercury levels and environmental impact of fish is the Environmental Defense Fund’s Seafood Selector – http://seafood.edf.org/
References
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9273927
- Mercola J, Klinghardt D. Mercury toxicity and systemic elimination agents. Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine 2001; 11: 53– 62.
- https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/other-nutrients/essential-fatty-acids
