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Updated August 22, 2006
Canned Tuna Poses a Significant Danger from Mercury
New findings from the FDA: White tune is actually worse than light tuna
Adapted from Dr. Julian Whitaker, Health & Healing,
Vol 14, No. 2, February 2004
More expensive isn't necessarily better
If you're a fan of canned tuna, you need to be aware of new findings recently announced by the FDA: The more expensive canned albacore — or white tuna — contains three times the mercury of canned light tuna.
Safe upper limits of mercury;
The idea that there is a "safe upper limit" of mercury is ludicrous. Mercury is a very powerful neuro-toxin, and there simply isn't any amount — no matter how small — that is safe.
What is more, the amount of mercury you can ingest in a week without developing noticeable signs of neuro-toxicity is highly individualized. It depends upon the rate at which your body can excrete it and how sensitive your system is to it.
Mercury is everywhere: And in today's environment, the amount of mercury ingested by most people is quite small compared to the load acquired from engine and industrial exhaust, lawn and agricultural chemicals, vaccines and dental fillings.
The only safe guideline is to:
- Take deliberate steps to avoid as much mercury exposure as possible, and
- Keep on a program of detoxification.
Pretty much, at a minimum, you should be supplementing your healthy diet with:
- A good detoxifying enzyme complex, and
- A good form of chlorella.
If your exposure to mercury has been higher, you may need to take more aggressive action. One option would be the liver cleansing program. Or you could do a modified program. For an eight week cycle, take:
- The liver clearing supplement, 3-6 tablets, 3 times daily.
- The liver clearing oil blend or the super clearing oil blend, diluted 50-50 in a base oil and placed in "00"-sized capsules. Take first thing in the morning.
This can be supplemented with the liver clearing drink mix, 1-3 times per day, and the liver opening blend, massaged over the liver and on the bottom of the feet once per day.
New Guidelines
In order to avoid exceeding the safe upper limit of mercury intake, the FDA is reworking its guidelines, advising pregnant women, nursing mothers and women who might become pregnant, as well as children:
- to avoid shark, swordfish, tilefish and king mackerel (which contain the highest levels of mercury),
- to limit tuna consumption, and
- to eat no more than 12 ounces a week of fish of any kind.
The Inadequacy of these guidelines
Folks, there is no safe upper limit for mercury consumption. Mercury is harmful, even in minute quantities; and not just for children. There is a lot of mercury toxicity in people today; and believe me, this heavy metal is not something you want to put into your body.
My advice for everyone, regardless of sex, age or pregnancy status, is to follow the above guidelines, but avoid canned albacore and tuna steaks altogether. The fish that provides the best health benefits is wild Pacific salmon. It's high in omega-3 fats and low in mercury.
But make sure you eat wild salmon. A 2004 study has found that farmed salmon has significantly higher levels of PCBs, dioxin and other toxins than wild salmon.
(Washington Post, Dec. 11, 2003; Science, 33:226-9, Jan. 9, 2004)
Taking a second look: A good source for canned tuna
While the comments above are definitely worth your attention, there just may be an answer for those who are big fans of tuna. In his newsletter, Naturally Well Today, Dr. Marcus Laux tells about Oregon's Choice Gourmet Albacore tuna. Founded by Captain Herb Goblirsch (a really nice man, who is passionate about the health benefits of his fish), Oregon's Choice doesn't cut corners like the majority of commercial fishermen supplying the major canneries. The result is canned albacore that is higher in omega-3s and very low in mercury. And it's truly delicious.
To learn more, see the article on Oregon's Choice Gourmet Albacore.
