Freshwater fish of the St. Lawrence River are turning their noses up to their usual menu of insects and crustaceans. Instead, they are feasting upon toxic-filled European quagga mussels.
These mussels are referred to as the river's junk food. Researchers are concerned that this change in diet might affect both fish growth and impact other freshwater animals. In the study, after examining the stomachs of fish, researchers were surprised to find that 60 percent contained mussel shells and whole mussels.
Poisonous Mussels Work Their Way up the Food Chain
The result of this food chain cycle is a high likelihood of humans consuming contaminated fish. Although this study targeted the St. Lawrence River, researchers believe this problem might have already spread to other freshwater systems.
EurekAlert September 23, 2004
When I've talked about the obesity epidemic, it brings to mind a familiar quote: "You are what you eat." If a large portion of your daily diet comes from junk food, don't be terribly surprised if you feel sick, sluggish, have little energy and generally feel older. Keep eating and you might shave a few years off your life too.
That's why this "true" fish story caught my attention. The contamination of our fish supply is a vicious cycle. First, the water supply is contaminated with mercury and now the fish supply are consuming a diet full of toxins.
This finding doesn't surprise me as I wrote about the PCBs found in salmon in a past newsletter.
I don't really recommend eating fish, ESPECIALLY farmed fish as they are even worse. Nearly all the fish are somewhat contaminated and as this article points out the contamination problem isn't getting any better. So, if you are a fish eater, the typical rule of thumb is the larger the fish the more mercury and PCBs they will have. Small fish like sardines however are typically mercury and PCB fee.
If you want mercury free salmon then you can try the Alaskan wild red salmon from Vital Choice that tested to be free of mercury. It is a bit pricey as it needs to be shipped overnight from Alaska but it really is top notch.
Related Articles:
Mercury In Your Fish Do You Know the Facts About Mercury in Fish? Mercury Pollutes Nation's Rivers, Lakes High Levels of Toxic Mercury Found in Fish-Eaters PCBs Increase Breast Cancer Risk Why You Should Be Concerned About Eating Salmon
Mercury In Your Fish
Do You Know the Facts About Mercury in Fish?
Mercury Pollutes Nation's Rivers, Lakes
High Levels of Toxic Mercury Found in Fish-Eaters
PCBs Increase Breast Cancer Risk
Why You Should Be Concerned About Eating Salmon