title: Balancing the benefits of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and the risks of methylmercury exposure from fish consumption.
abstract: Fish and shellfish are widely available foods that provide important nutrients, particularly n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), to many populations globally. These nutrients, especially docosahexaenoic acid, confer benefits to brain and visual system development in infants and reduce risks of certain forms of heart disease in adults. However, fish and shellfish can also be a major source of methylmercury (MeHg), a known neurotoxicant that is particularly harmful to fetal brain development. This review documents the latest knowledge on the risks and benefits of seafood consumption for perinatal development of infants. It is possible to choose fish species that are both high in n-3 PUFAs and low in MeHg. A framework for providing dietary advice for women of childbearing age on how to maximize the dietary intake of n-3 PUFAs while minimizing MeHg exposures is suggested.
authors: Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, George Washington University School of Public Health, Washington DC, USA.
authors: Kathryn R
authors: KR
authors: Mahaffey
authors: Elsie M
authors: EM
authors: Sunderland
authors: Hing Man
authors: HM
authors: Chan
authors: Anna L
authors: AL
authors: Choi
authors: Philippe
authors: P
authors: Grandjean
authors: Koenraad
authors: K
authors: Mariën
authors: Emily
authors: E
authors: Oken
authors: Mineshi
authors: M
authors: Sakamoto
authors: Rita
authors: R
authors: Schoeny
authors: Pál
authors: P
authors: Weihe
authors: Chong-Huai
authors: CH
authors: Yan
authors: Akira
authors: A
authors: Yasutake
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000187:drug effects; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017747:Seafood / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical