![Fish: the benefits of omega-3s for the heart outweigh the harmful effects of mercury](https://img.passeportsante.net/1000x526/2014-03-24/i56684-poisson-les-bienfaits-des-omega-3-pour-le-coeur-l-emportent-sur-les-effets-nefastes-du-mercure.jpg)
February 17, 2011 – Eating fish would protect against cardiovascular disease, even if it contains mercury, study finds1 Swedish. Marine omega-3s have a proven protective effect on the heart, but studies in recent years have concluded that mercury may increase the risk of heart attack.
The study was conducted among 900 adults, half of whom had suffered a heart attack. The researchers asked participants about their fish-eating habits (on average 1.26 times per week), and analyzed the amount of mercury, selenium and omega-3 acids (EPA and DHA) present in their blood. The blood levels of these elements, all three of which are found in fish, directly reflect the amount of fish consumed.
The results show that the heaviest consumers of fish, with high levels of mercury in their blood, had fewer myocardial infarctions than those who rarely ate them. According to the researchers, “the protective nutrients in fish outweigh the potential harmful effects of mercury.”
In the study, no toxic effects attributable to mercury were observed, while blood levels were higher than the average levels observed in the North American population. However, it is not recommended to consume in large quantities certain species highly contaminated by mercury, such as shark, swordfish, mackerel or halibut, underlines one of the authors of the study.
These new results consolidate those of previous studies, which show that the consumption of fish once or twice a week reduces heart mortality by more than a third.2.
Marine Corniou – PasseportSanté.net
1. Wennberg M, Bergdahl IA et al. Fish consumption and myocardial infarction: a second prospective biomarker study from northern Sweden, Am J Clin Nutr. 2011 Jan; 93 (1): 27-36.
2. Mozaffarian D. Fish, mercury, selenium and cardiovascular risk: current evidence and unanswered questions, Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2009 Jun; 6 (6): 1894-916.