The U.S. Tuna Foundation (USTF) said that by showing that older Americans are not at risk from the trace amounts of mercury in fish, a new study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health should reassure the public -men as well as women- that eating fish, such as canned tuna, is safe and should be encouraged because of the many health benefits associated with seafood consumption.
Published in the April 20 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the new study finds no evidence of a link between mercury levels and older adults' performance on mental tests. Specifically, researchers from Johns Hopkins tested the blood mercury levels of 474 Baltimore residents aged 50-70 and also gave the study participants 12 tests covering memory, manual dexterity, intelligence, verbal skills, and other traits. After conducting their analysis, the researchers concluded that there is no risk of neurological problems or cognitive decline if seniors eat fish.
Of added significance, the new Johns Hopkins study shows that the amount of mercury in the blood of American seniors is well within the government’s “recommended†range for even the more conservative subpopulation, pregnant women and women of childbearing age. Using the Environmental Protection
Agency's (EPA) guideline of 5.8 micrograms per liter or less of mercury in the blood, the researchers found that the older Americans studied had an average blood level of mercury of 2.1 micrograms per liter. Since older Americans typically consume about the same amount of fish as younger adults, this study validates findings by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that no one in the U.S. has anywhere near the amount of mercury in their system from eating seafood known to cause a health problem.
â€This study provides very good news for Americans that have been concerned about mercury levels in fish," said Jay Murray, Ph.D., a toxicologist that specializes in maternal and fetal health and a member of the Tuna Nutrition Council, which advises USTF on nutrition and public health matters. “While there has been a lot of hype about people being exposed to too much mercury, this study finds that this is simply not the case in an urban adult population.â€
Study Underscores Cardio-Protective Benefits
Complementing these findings, the Johns Hopkins study underscored the cardio-protective benefits of seafood consumption, which is why seniors are often encouraged to eat more fish. According to an extensive body of research, the omega-3 fatty acids in fish have been shown to reduce the risk of both sudden death and death from coronary heart disease in adults. Based on these findings, the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that consumers eat two eight-ounce servings a week of foods, such as fish, that are rich in the omega-3 fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).
Of the top 10 most commonly consumed fish in this country, salmon and canned albacore tuna have the highest levels of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Nutritional Database.
Canned Tuna Is Nature's Healthy Fast Food
Besides the benefits for older Americans, the omega-3 fatty acids found in canned tuna are important for people of all ages, which is why several health organizations such as the American Heart Association and the American Dietetic Association now recommend that people eat two to three servings of a variety of fish a week, including canned tuna. According to a number of recent studies, the omega-3 fatty acids found in canned tuna and other types of fish reduces the likelihood of blood clots and stroke, protects against certain cancers, has a therapeutic effect on autoimmune diseases, and helps to relieve depression.