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I have gotten many questions as to the health concerns of eating fish.
As with any raw food
there is some degree of risk of food borne pathogens, but
with seafood the current hot topic is contaminants. Basically, the answer to the
question "is sushi good for you" is a resounding 'yes', however anyone eating fish, especially
raw should be aware of the potential health concerns. The recent talk is the
contaminant such as heavy metals that can be present in some fish, especially
the larger predatory fish such as tuna and swordfish. Essentially,
the higher up the food chain a fish is, the the more contaminants concentrate. While studies swing
wildly one way or another, there clearly is some degree of heavy metal
content in the larger predatory fish, but the health questions to focus on are to what degree and
how much is bad for you.
Contaminants
Due to the potential for contaminants such as mercury (as well as pathogens)
pregnant women are told to avoid the larger, predatory fish, and
any raw meat, something that those with weakened immune systems are told avoid as well.
However, in moderation, any cooked seafood is not only safe, but a healthful choice due
to the beneficial nutritional profile of sea foods in general and the presence of Omega-3 fatty acids, required for proper health. Traces of other
contaminants have been reported as well (e.g. PCBs, flame retardants) however
studies have not shown the presence of concentrations large enough to hurt someone who
eats seafood in moderation.
Essentially, by polluting our planet we are soiling our oceans and its
denizens as well, a process that reverberates throughout the food chain and
finally affecting us. Naturally occurring substances (e.g. mercury in
seawater) also contribute to contaminants found in fish as well. Fortunately, a recent report from the
Institute of Medicine has concluded that the benefits of eating seafood
far outweigh the potential risks, and anyone worried about the potential
health concerns would do well to review the article. A recent article by the
New York Times highlights the increasing risk of
mercury contamination in tuna, and while it was countered by a recent
trade group press release, the research was again supported by an
article published in Newsweek magazine. I have summarized the entire
argument in two blog entries, "Some
more mercury with your tuna?" and "A
tuna tempest" which I encourage everyone to read. As with many foods,
eating sushi does in fact carry with it some small risk of pollution related
contaminants being consumed, however in moderation, it is a perfectly safe
food. But that said, please do remember that
there can be other risks.
Pathogens
Aside from contaminants, raw seafood can also be the vector for various
pathogens, viral, bacterial, as well as larger parasitic creatures. Proper sanitary conditions must
always be met or any raw food could possibly make one sick.
Anisakiasis is a
particularly nasty and potentially fatal infection caused by microscopic
larval worms that live in some marine creatures that can be avoided by
thorough cooking, or certain deep freezing techniques, which are required by
law in the United States for certain sushi grade items. While rare, it is
one of the many risks inherent in all uncooked sea foods. Fortunately incidents of
illness from sushi are few and far between. More people are sickened by
contaminated produce in the US than by sushi, so at least for now, purveyors
of sushi seem to be maintaining proper sanitary practices. And before you ask, tapeworms
require a freshwater stage in their lifecycle, so as long as you stick to
the saltwater fish you should be fine. No one should ever eat freshwater
fish raw under any circumstances as the risks of parasitic infection
increase dramatically due to the large number of freshwater parasites that
exist, the freshwater ecosystem being a much better environment for
parasitic creatures.
Fortunately, sushi is as safe as any other food as long
as proper handling conditions are met. While certain individuals should take
steps to minimize particular risks due to their current condition, for most
of us, sushi is as safe as it is good for us. That said, it is wise to make
sensible decisions as to where you will be eating sushi, and if an
establishment looks as though it may not be taking the proper precautions,
it is best avoided. Be smart and you should have no problems finding an
enjoyable and delicious sushi meal.
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