Despite Contaminants, Fish Yields a Net Health Gain for Most Men

Newswise — Research continues to confirm that the omega-3 fatty acids found in oily, dark-fleshed fish offer genuine health benefits, says the Harvard Men's Health Watch. Eating fish regularly can help ward off the serious heart rhythm disturbances associated with sudden cardiac death. It also appears to reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, mental decline in old age, and prostate cancer.

Fish oil is one way to get omega-3s, but the Harvard Men's Health Watch points out that eating fish provides other important nutrients like selenium, antioxidants, and protein. What's more, people who eat fish tend to consume less meat and cheese, and they may add other healthy foods to their diets, such as vegetables and brown rice.

But there is a small "catch" to this potent health food. Fish may absorb contaminants found in the waters. Methyl mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are of particular concern. The Harvard Men's Health Watch explains that while pregnant women and children should limit intake of high-mercury species — swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish, among others — eating these fish is much less worrisome for adults. Farmed fish such as salmon have little mercury, but they may have PCBs. The Harvard Men's Health Watch recommends removing the skin and fat before cooking to minimize exposure. Currently the EPA recommends limiting consumption of farmed and wild salmon.

Stricter environmental regulations are needed to reduce industrial pollution and protect the fish supply, and new FDA standards could help reduce the PCBs in farmed fish. In the meantime, the Harvard Men's Health Watch says that the American Heart Association's recommendation to eat two servings of fatty fish per week is a healthy move for most middle-aged and older men.

Also in this issue:
• Erectile dysfunction: The Viagra revolution
• Black hairy tongue

The Harvard Men’s Health Watch is available from Harvard Health Publications, the publishing division of Harvard Medical School, for $24 per year. Subscribe at http://www.health.harvard.edu/men or by calling 1-877-649-9457 (toll free).