The United States is known for its huge variety of fish, but there may be a more important reason to enjoy them as well. In addition to the nutrient-packed content, fresh fish is an efficient way to get these three crucial omega-3 fatty acids into your diet, which can help lower inflammation and protect against heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and other diseases. Here’s what you need to know about how toxic mercury-bearing foods can take on the shape of fish.
What Are Mercury Bases in Your Brain’s Brains?
Mercury appears to have made its way into our brains long before humans existed. A 2017 study from Princeton University found that, while it isn’t possible to trace it to specific parts of the brain, Mercury could affect certain regions of the brain. Some of the affected areas include the prefrontal cortex, a part of the prefrontal part of the brain involved with memory and impulse control. This region is sometimes called the “dark matter” because it contains nerve cells that transmit messages throughout the body and control impulses.
The finding that Mercury has entered your brain comes not only from its presence in the brain but also from studies done in mice. It doesn’t always make you feel sick, but it does increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s because it disrupts the natural chemical balance in your brain. If this happens, the effects can be magnified by environmental toxins like the ones you get at the supermarket.
How Is Mercutio Affected By Mercury in Seafood?
Mercury is known for many functions, including helping build neurotransmitters, which are chemicals used in the nervous system. However, when taken in large amounts, they can cause severe brain damage called edema, a buildup of fluid and gas in an area. When the water level drops too low, mercury can build up inside the brain causing this effect. Studies have shown that children who eat contaminated seafood may have delayed speech or learning difficulties because it interferes with their growth hormone production. In other instances, high levels of mercury disrupt the natural process normally responsible for blood clotting, resulting in increased clots in the arteries and veins of the legs. These changes can leave you vulnerable to stroke and other heart attacks.
Mercury poisoning affects most people around the globe. Nearly 50 percent of all American adults suffer from some kind of mercury exposure. According to Merck, the company that produced Tylenol (itself marketed as Tylenol), more than 300 million Americans got their fix from household products. With such widespread usage, it’s not surprising that over 70 percent of adult Americans are exposed to mercury. And nearly 1/2 of US adults who consume raw oysters have gotten caught in the act of swallowing small pieces of meat. So when it comes to enjoying seafood, especially wild-caught salmon, do you want any? We certainly don’t!
Common Symptoms Of Mercury Poison
People with chronic kidney disease may be particularly susceptible to mercury contamination. Even though the FDA now regulates supplements containing methylmercury, there are still several common symptoms to watch out for when it comes to seafood including fish and crab. They include:
Headache. People often develop headaches after eating raw nuts, coffee, or even if they’re allergic to caffeine. Most people will experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle fatigue, and loss of appetite. Over time, those symptoms become more intense and may become permanent migraine headaches, affecting more than half of people. Another symptom is the ability to move your arms and feet without pain. As people age, migraines can intensify so much that the sufferer cannot go back into bed without medication. Another potential symptom is neck stiffness. It can occur if someone consumes either smoked meats or fish that was deep-fried. Lastly, a person can experience dry mouth and lips. Those things usually start within hours and sometimes days after ingestion. While this is pretty rare, it can sometimes spread to the rest of your body.
What Can Make Salmon More Toxic To Humans?
Even though the main sources of mercury pollution come from smelters, there are other ways that both recreational and commercial fishermen get mercury into rivers and lakes. Because salmon and other big-ticket seafood such as flounders and bluegill can end up being caught in netting lines and dams for years, there are concerns that they might be ingesting too much mercury as well. That can lead to a series of negative consequences for both salmon and people living near waterways with strong currents. First, there may be reduced visibility, making it difficult to see what is going on. Secondly, water quality problems can appear. For example, contaminated sediments can become a health hazard and lead to more pollution than necessary. There are also risks for children whose drinking water may be contaminated, as well as increases in antibiotic resistance. Finally, mercury appears to be linked to the onset of cancer. Again, the consequences may include lowered birth rates, higher mortality rates, and a reduced chance of catching cancer early enough. Overall, even though mercury is recognized as safe, it’s still worth monitoring any steps you take to avoid getting caught and having unsafe mercury-bearing food in your home.
