Should the Risks of Fish Intake Override the Benefits?

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Many consumers today are confused about the controversy about fish and its health effects. Researchers have discovered that fish contains methyl mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), and dioxins that may put one’s health at risk (“Harvard College”). The industrial processes cause mercury to be released into the air, then the chemical ends up in the lakes. Therefore, the contaminants come from bacteria that live in lakes that are then absorbed in species. When people consume fish, they are also taking in bacteria that came from unspecialized lakes indirectly through fish consumption. Although people could be harmed by eating contaminated fish, a diet that includes fish can also benefit the body. Fish has become especially popular because the omega-3 fatty acids it contains support cardiovascular health. Omega-3 is essential to the development of brain functions and normal growth. The intake of safe amounts of fish can decrease the chances of stroke, arthritis, and chronic diseases. Although fish contains mercury and dioxins that can damage nerves in humans, the trade-off benefit of the intake of omega-3 from fish can outweigh the risks. Concerns about contamination found in fish can pose a threat to its consumers and put their outcomes at risk. Fish are known to contain the chemicals mercury, dioxins, and PCBS that can be harmful to individuals. These chemicals may build up in a person’s body after years of eating highly contaminated fish that can result to one’s health concern. “In America one-in-six children born every year have been exposed to mercury levels so high that they are potentially at risk for learning disabilities and motor skill impairment and short-term memory loss” (“Mercury in”). This statistic shows that inf... ... middle of paper ... ...ted. Ed. Christina Roache. Harvard Public Health, Mar. 2006. Web. 30 Oct. 2011. Ehrlich, Steven D. “Omega-3 Fatty Acids.” University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland Medical Center, 5 May 2011. Web. 28 Oct. 2011. “Experts Say Benefits of Eating Fish Outweigh Possible Risks.” Harvard Women’s Health Watch 14.6 (2007): 6-7. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 25 Oct. 2011 “Fish: Friend or Foe?” Harvard School of Public Health. The President and Fellows of Harvard College, 2011. n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2011. Gardner, Amanda. “Study: Mercury in Fish Poses No Heart Risk.” Cnn.com. CNN, 23 Mar. 2011. Web. 26 Oct. 2011. “Mercury in Fish”. Science and Health. Public Affairs Television, 21 Jan. 2005. Web. 30 Oct. 2011. Squires, Sally. Benefits of Fish Exceed Risks, Studies Find. Washingtonpost.com. The Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2006. Web. 30 Oct. 2011.

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