Eating too much fish, especially large fish with high mercury levels, can lead to toxic buildup in the body and cause health problems. It is recommended to eat fish in limited amounts, with a maximum of 12 ounces per week for most fish and 6 ounces for larger fish. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children should avoid larger fish altogether. Farmed fish may also contain antibiotics, which can be harmful if ingested in large amounts.
Although fish is an extremely healthy, low-calorie source of protein that contains nutritious omega-3 fatty acids, it is possible to eat too much of it. The first thing to consider is that since healthy eating means a balanced and portion-controlled diet, eating too much fish or any other food is not recommended. Beyond that, high mercury levels are the main reason not to eat large amounts of fish.
Many health experts warn that eating too much fish can create a buildup of mercury toxins in the body. Mercury is a metallic element that is toxic in high doses. It enters the water supply from remnants of medical waste or power plants. The fish that swim in that water become contaminated with mercury.
Fish can be a good part of a balanced diet. Avoiding fish is thought to put people at risk for brain, nerve, and heart problems. Most health experts recommend avoiding too much fish, due to the risk of mercury, but eating it weekly in limited amounts. The recommended amount of most fish and shellfish per adult per week is a maximum of 12 ounces (340 g). Larger fish such as tuna, shark, golden bass, swordfish, and king mackerel should be limited to 6 ounces (170 g) per week maximum.
Pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children should avoid larger varieties of fish. Instead, they should eat other types of fish and shellfish in small amounts. Toxic levels of mercury are said to be found primarily in the largest species of fish. Babies, young children, and women of childbearing age are especially susceptible to the potential harmful effects of mercury. If a person in a lower risk group is going to eat tuna, it is generally considered better to choose light chunks, water pack types rather than albacore or oil versions.
Mercury poisoning, possibly from sources like too much fish, can cause birth defects or brain damage. Symptoms of mercury poisoning in adults or children include pink or red cheeks and fingertips, as well as loss of hair, teeth, and nails. Skin rashes and organ damage are also thought to be caused by high levels of mercury, such as those in too much fish. Vision, speech, and hearing disorders have also been linked to mercury poisoning.
Another problem that can be caused by eating too much fish involves the ingestion of antibiotics in the fish. Antibiotics are drugs given to fish to control bacterial diseases. While wild fish can still absorb antibiotics from toxic waste in the water, traces of the drugs will most likely be found in farmed fish. Further complicating the problem is the lack of antibiotic dosing regulations in the fish farming industry in some parts of the world. Fish farming involves raising food fish in a limited area; Antibiotics are used to prevent bacteria from spreading throughout the stock.
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