Thoughts on Canned Tuna and Mercury in Diet?

[Alleyezonme]

Lately for the past week ive been consuming about a can a day of tuna which is equal to 5 ounces, and ive heard of mercury in the fish before but now its becomming a bigger concern to me because it seems like a serious issue, should i drop the tuna from my diet? =\ its hard though because its one of the best cheapest protien sources out there and really helps my protien consumption balence out throughout the day

 

[The Gentleman]

The only people who should worry about mercury in their diets are pregnant women and young children (some studies show mercury can have detrimental effects on developing nervous systems). If you are really concerned about mercury either switch to light tuna or reduce the amount of tuna you have per week (i.e. have tuna every other day). In my personal opinion the benefits of fish outwiegh the mercury risk. Hope that helps.

 

[Alleyezonme]

yeah i understand what ur saying but is it safe to consume a can a day? I already consume chunk light tuna so yeah, i mean im sure alchohol and junk processed foods are alot worse for your body, both of which i dont consume anymore ( atleast right now especially not the processed junk foods)

 

[Arnold]

you really do have to be careful, I would not recommend a can every day, the mercury is high and can cause you problems down the line.

 

[Pirate!]

Yep, 6 oz/week is safe, in my opinion. I have about two sandwiches a month.

 

[JailHouse]

Wow, Ive been eating 2-4 cans a day for about 2 months. I haven't died or felt ill. Actually Ive built more muscle and lost more fat if any thing.

 

[Mags]

If it's not red meat, it's eggs. If it's not white bread, it's fish. Damn, they'll be nothing left to eat soon.

 

[soxmuscle]

Wow, Ive been eating 2-4 cans a day for about 2 months. I haven't died or felt ill. Actually Ive built more muscle and lost more fat if any thing.

It's a great food option for people trying to pack on muscle, but the mercury makes it unhealthy.

Still eat it, just eat less is all I think Pirate! and Prince are getting at.

 

[Biggly]

Well it won't be cheap but there are brands out there that specifically use young tuna due to their lower mercury. Or is that what's meant by "light" tuna?

What the hell is light tuna?



B.

 

[Biggly]

Study finds mercury levels in canned "light" tuna are lower than in albacore - 1/30/04 - Washington State Dept of Health



:: Carvalho Fisheries :: Low Mercury Products


B.

 

[vortrit]

Well it won't be cheap but there are brands out there that specifically use young tuna due to their lower mercury. Or is that what's meant by "light" tuna?

What the hell is light tuna?



B.

That probably means "chunk light." From what I've read that has less mercury in it. I eat one can a day, and no more. I wouldn't mind finding a substitue a couple of days a week though. It's just really easy to pop open a can of tuna and eat.

 

[Alleyezonme]

That probably means "chunk light." From what I've read that has less mercury in it. I eat one can a day, and no more. I wouldn't mind finding a substitue a couple of days a week though. It's just really easy to pop open a can of tuna and eat.

yeah i completely agree with you. especially on finding a substitute for the other half of the week, maybe 1 day on 1 day off tuna/substitute wise would be taking the steps to better ourselves

 

[Big Smoothy]

Thanks for the comments. I've done searches and googled.

How about 3 cans per week. Regular Tuna in Brine/water. (Not light.)

 

[nadirmg]

Thanks for the comments. I've done searches and googled.

How about 3 cans per week. Regular Tuna in Brine/water. (Not light.)

i'm not a nutritionist and i'm basing this on no more than my own opinion but... i think 3 cans a week is fine. otherwise i'm in trouble

 

[Biggly]

You know I don't want to piss on the parade but mercury is primarily toxic because it accumulates over time. This is why younger fish contain less.

It is true that with some "chellating" (sp?) or colon-cleansing or whatever you may be able to shift some but there is no such thing as a safe amount of mercury per week. If for example you were to halve the mercury via some brand, a full 50% reduction, that just means it will take a fortnight to receive the same amount as a week of the normal stuff.

I'm not saying don't eat tuna, I eat it myself, my point is just that I find it a little disturbing that there seems to be a consensus of "cut down a bit and mercury's no problem."

My own view is a can a day is going to be well outside the body's ability to remove it, seeing as there is no specific mercury-removing mechanism. Some does get removed, virtually by accident, so small amounts are no problem but unless we're talking something like a 90%+ reduction I really couldn't recommend it on a daily basis.

Bummer I know, it's almost pure protein but there ya go. Sorry.



B.

 

[Biggly]

OK, I'll clarify that, mercury is toxic because it is one of the most toxic substances known to man, my point was the danger of mercury even in small tiny amounts is due to the build-up aspect.



B.

 

[nadirmg]

tilapia is a great sub for tuna though.

at my superwalmart i buy a pack of individually packaged frozen filets for $11. 21g protein per filet

 

[JailHouse]

Is there any proof of some one dieing or becoming ill from eating too much tuna? Till I see some thing like that ill enjoy my tuna.

 

[nadirmg]

check this article out. the fda center for food safety and applied nutrition put it out.

the skinny is that they recommend no more than an average of 12oz of fish a week. furthermore that those 12oz of fish be varied types of fish - not only tuna or only shark, swordfish etc...

and this article, also from the fda, says that:
"The types of symptoms reflect the degree of exposure. Paresthesia (numbness and tingling sensations around the lips, fingers and toes) usually is the first symptom. A stumbling gait and difficulty in articulating words is the next progressive symptom, along with a constriction of the visual fields, ultimately leading to tunnel vision and impaired hearing. Generalized muscle weakness , fatigue, headache, irritability, and inability to concentrate often occur. In severe cases, tremors or jerks are present. These neurological problems frequently lead to coma and death."

 

[Biggly]

A stumbling gait and difficulty in articulating words is the next progressive symptom, along with a constriction of the visual fields, ultimately leading to tunnel vision and impaired hearing.

That sounds like a well-known politician...




B.

 

[AKIRA]

Yeah, I never really paid attention to how much mercury I am consuming. I dont know the limits nor do I know how much I am consuming in a sitting.

I guess Ive always blown it off just like I did when I read some bullshit about cell phones causing brain tumors...

I eat tuna 2-3 times a week.

 

[lojasmo]

You know I don't want to piss on the parade but mercury is primarily toxic because it accumulates over time. This is why younger fish contain less.

IIRC, bioaccumulation is not a temporal phenominon, but rather a result of this.

Human<big fish<smaller fish< smaller fish.

<=eating.

How about 3 cans per week. Regular Tuna in Brine/water.

Fine unless you're pregnant, a child, or breast feeding.

I eat 3 Oz. per day.

 

[danzik17]

you really do have to be careful, I would not recommend a can every day, the mercury is high and can cause you problems down the line.

Uh yea about that - looks like I'm changing up my diet.

 

[Hollywood06]

Ive eatin a can every day for the past two weeks? what are some good subs that i can eat that are healthy and high in protein?

 

[nadirmg]

eggs, chicken, turkey, lean beef, salmon, tilapia, whey protein, fat free cottage cheese