Fish and Contamination

We have been warned about the toxic matters in fish, such as Mercury and PCBs.
These contaminations might have taken away the benefits of fish we used to get.
But that doesn't mean we have to stop consuming fish completely,
We can still eat them by following the recommendation of health officals.

The health officials are advising us, to avoid large fish like swordfish, tilefish, and mackerel.
because, they are more likely to store toxic matter than any other fish.
Therefore we can still eat fish, but with caution.
Generally the highest contamination of Mercury, PCBs, Dioxins and other enviormental contaminants,
are found in older, larger, predatory fish and marine mammals.

Below are 5 commonly eaten fish or shellfish that are low in mercury:

• Shrimp
• Canned light tuna
• Salmon
• Pollock
• Cat fish

Different age group effect the benefits and risks of eating fish.

• According to American heart association, children, pregnant and nursing women are advised to avoid the highest mercury level fish. Because, they are more at higher risks.
• The benefits of eating fish outweigh the risks for middle-age and older men and women after menopause as long as their consumptions of fish are within the recommendations established by FDA and environmental protection agency.
• In order to minimize any potential adverse effects, we need to eat a variety of fish.

According to Dr. David Siscovick, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of Washington," "There's no evidence that any toxic effect of anything like mercury outweighs the benefits."

Therefore we should continue eating fish since the benefits are too valuable to be ignored.

Below is a Salmon Recipe that I would like to share.

Salmon Timbale or Loaf

1 can salmon
1 cupful soft bread crumbs
1 1/2 teaspoonfuls chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoonful salt
Pepper
1 or 2 eggs
1 tablespoonful lemon juice
1/4 to 1/2 cupful milk
Mix all the ingredients thoroughly, adding enough milk to moisten. Pour into buttered timbale molds or into one
bowl. Place on a rack in a pan, surround with hot water, and cover. Bake in the oven or cook on top of the range until
the fish mixture is firm and is heated thoroughly. Turn out, and serve with White Sauce to which chopped parsley has
been added. Peas in White Sauce make a pleasing addition to Salmon Timbale. Tuna fish or other cooked fish may
be used instead of salmon.

Reference:

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/277124_fish11.html

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4632