A report by the FDA seems to be making a case to reverse a years-old position regarding the amount of fish that children and pregnant women should consume.
by Dr. Nicholas Meyer —
A recent internal draft of a report by the FDA seems to be making a case to reverse a years-old position regarding the amount of fish that children and pregnant women should consume.
The FDA, along with the EPA, issued a joint warning regarding the consumption of certain species of fish and the body burden of mercury that comes along with it. For example, they suggest that a pregnant woman limit the amount of canned tuna to no more than six ounces per week — a fairly strong admonition from a government agency.
Now, however, there is talk that this warning be lifted as the burden of mercury is offset by omega 3 fatty acids, meaning that the consumption of the fish is more beneficial than the mercury load is detrimental.
On the face of it, this seems to make sense, but when scrutinized, there is no protection for those who have sensitive systems or are unable to readily process mercury in their bodies. The embryo and fetus, especially, are the most vulnerable, and will be left without protection, as the body burden from other sources will continue to increase in the world around us.
When you consider that the developing embryo and fetus are swimming in a toxic mix within the womb, it would seem that the mere thought of this is contemptible. The assault on human life seems to know no bounds.
Nicholas Meyer, D.D.S., is a general dentist in Scottsdale, Ariz., with a special interest in the functional aspects of the oral cavity that contribute to such maladies as TMJ, snoring and sleep apnea. 480-948-0560 or www.milldental.com.
Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 28, Number 2, Apr/May 2009.
March 5, 2012
Chemical and Toxic Exposure, Health, Pregnancy, Women