Seafood is widely known to have some remarkable health benefits, most notably its high omega-3 content. However, consumers are confused by the conflicting accounts of possible risks of consuming too much seafood due to contaminants such as methylmercury. A new research paper by nutritionist Dr. Joyce Nettleton helps to clarify the truths and myths of seafood nutrition and provides recommendations for how to best choose seafood for optimum individual health.

In Dr. Nettleton’s paper, she explains that most people in the U.S. do not consume the recommended two servings of seafood a week, especially pregnant and nursing women, and therefore may be missing out on important health benefits. Among these benefits are: brain and eye development of fetuses and young children, protection against heart disease and other heart issues, sharper brain function in adults, lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and depression, healthy eye function and reduced risk of macular degeneration in later life, and improved immune function and anti-inflammatory properties.

Dr. Nettleton further explains that larger, long-lived fish such as shark and swordfish contain the highest levels of mercury. However, all seafood contains a potent antioxidant called selenium, which binds heavy metals and acts to prevent the toxic effects of mercury. Seafood, in fact, is the richest source of selenium in the diet and amounts of selenium in fish usually exceed those of mercury. Dr. Nettleton concludes that the net gain in health benefits certainly outweigh the risks of contaminants. With smart seafood choices, such as short-lived seafood high in omega-3s like salmon, there is a wide range of delicious options for maintaining optimum life-long health.

For more information on nutrition, or to order a copy of the new Dr. Nettleton paper, please contact us at (800) 806-2497 or go to
www.alaskaseafood.org.