title: Healthy fish consumption and reduced mercury exposure: counseling women in their reproductive years.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide family physicians with a practical, evidence-based approach to counseling women about healthy fish eating.
  
  
  METHODS
  MEDLINE was searched for articles published between 1999 and 2008. Most studies described in this article provide level II or III evidence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fish is an important component of a healthy diet for women in their reproductive years owing to the beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids on the neurologic development of the fetus. However, some fish species contain considerable methylmercury, which crosses the placenta and has harmful effects on neurobehavioural development. As many jurisdictions have issued fish consumption advisories, which can be confusing, women would benefit from individualized assistance from a trusted source, their family physicians, to clarify the risks and benefits of eating fish.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We recommend that family physicians counsel women in their reproductive years about healthy choices regarding fish in their diet, and provide appropriate resources.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine and Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Ontario. alan.abelsohn@utoronto.ca
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abelsohn
authors.forename: Loren D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Vanderlinden
authors.forename: Fran
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Josephine A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Archbold
authors.forename: Tara L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003376:Counseling; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005194:Family Practice / Q000592:standards*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005396:Fish Products; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care; D060728:Reproductive Health / Q000592:standards*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids