Which kind of fishes are safe to eat and why are these considered safe?

Question

I am so confused since alot of the fishes are tainted with high levels of mercury. On the other hand we are told to eat more fish to prevent heart disease and certain cancers.

Answer 1

Wild Alaskan salmon is supposed to be good for you as it comes from clean waters and is tested often for toxins.

Another, slightly lesser choice would be wild Pacific salmon (from further south than Alaska, like off the coast of Washington State and California...more elevated risk of some contaminants).

Oily fishes are good...herring, sardines, salmon.

Fish to avoid come from warmer/shallower/contaminated waters. Alas, my native Gulf of Mexico is a good example of where NOT to eat from.

Examples include: swordfish and shark (sharks eat other contaminated fish and so their risk of contamination and toxin overload is incredibly high).

Although one of the sources I link to OKs farmed fish, other sources I have read beg to differ. Farmed fish have a higher incidence of fish lice. Yes, I said "fish lice". There are little disgusting creatures that chew on fish like fleas chew on dogs. And I'll bet you don't want to eat them. I know I don't. Farmed fish live in more crowded conditions and so this affects them more frequently than wild fish.

Basically, wild-caught oily fish from colder, deeper, and more pristine waters are your best bets.

As to the contradictions for eating fish while simultaneously warning you away from eating fish due to mercury, it boils down to this:

Fish represent a highly assimilated protein source for humans. Fish are high in the good kinds of fats (Omega 3s, etc) and low in others. "Oily" fish, such as salmon, contain more of the Omega 3s. Fish are one of the few protein sources you can routinely eat raw (there is a lot of evidence that eating occasionally eating raw animal protein is very good for you, though if that grosses you out, don't worry about it...it's good for you cooked, too).

So eat fish if you like it. It's an excellent source of protein and healthy fats. Try to limit yourself to oily, fresh, wild-caught, cold-water fish, like wild Alaskan salmon. I personally love sashimi (slices of raw fish, Japanese-style).

For a good deal of the same health benefits as eating fish, you could take fish oil or cod liver oil capsules. Eating fish roe is good for you as well (and no, real caviar--the expensive stuf--isn't all there is to the wide world of fish eggs...try golden whitefish roe; it's my personal favorite and very mild and inexpensive).

Hope that helps clear up some of the confusion. Some particularly helpful articles are linked below.

Answer 2

Most fish are safe. Mercury concerns are mainly for pregnant and breastfeeding women, babies, and people with compromised immune systems. Fish with high levels tend to be oily fish (mackeral, tilefish, etc.) Fresh tuna is better than canned tuna for some reason. Salmon, tilapia, flounder, snapper, mahi mahi, grouper, shellfish, and any white fish (haddock, cod, scrod, etc.) are pretty much mercury free. The FDA website has info on this. The benefits of fish far outweigh the risks.

Answer 3

Ask the fish you caught.