It's easy to get answers about health and nutrition! Just send your question by email to [email protected] and Dr. Harlan will respond to selected questions of general interest. Answers will be posted in the Ask Dr. Gourmet newsletter (sign up now!) and archived in the Ask Dr. Gourmet section of the website.
Please note that the Ask Dr. Gourmet feature is restricted to questions regarding food and nutrition. Due to the many questions we receive, not all questions may be answered. For more specific questions about your individual health, please contact your doctor. About Timothy S. Harlan, MD, FACP, CCMS | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
Ask Dr. Gourmet
Should I be concerned about the amount of mercury in the fish I eat?
I've read the recommendations that you should eat more fish, but what about the mercury in fish? Shouldn't I be concerned about that? How much fish in a week is safe?
Dr. Gourmet Says...
That's a great question and one I get in my practice all the time.
There's no doubt that eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids helps reduce your risk of sudden death, death from heart disease, and death from stroke. The consensus is that the benefit of eating fish far outweighs the risks.
Certainly you want to minimize those risks, however. Here's an article I wrote about the mercury in fish and what you can do about it.
Thanks for writing.
Timothy S. Harlan, MD, FACP
Dr. Gourmet