As the importance of eating fish is stressed and many of us try to move towards being health conscious, sushi has become a favorite among many baby boomers. Isn’t it just amazing how when you finally start doing what you think is healthy, you find out that it may not be? A recent study by the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute tested tuna found in 20 restaurants in New York City and found that if you ate 6 pieces of tuna a week, you will have exceeded the acceptable limit of mercury exposure that was set by the EPA!

What is the problem with mercury? It can affect your nervous system. It can cause vision, balance, and memory problems (to name a few) not to mention what it can do to a fetus if a pregnant woman is over-exposed. I have a doctor colleague who was convinced he had multiple sclerosis. He had every test and every scan imaginable. Finally, some smart doctor checked the mercury level in his urine. It was sky high. He had mercury poisoning as a result of eating a ton of tuna to help him lose weight. Once he stopped doing that, his symptoms resolved.

What is a health-conscious person to do? I would suggest limiting the tuna to 12 oz a week. Keep eating fish, but go with the safer ones such as wild salmon, herring, sardines and you can also try shrimp.

If you like things raw, make sure you go to a reputable restaurant. If you want to play it safe, get cooked fish in your sushi rolls. There are many infections that you can get from raw fish that is contaminated (food for another article).

Eat healthy and be well!