Eat Low-Mercury Fish During Pregnancy and Breast Feeding: FDA

Pregnant women and nursing mothers must eat more of low-mercury fish, according to health officials.

The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued new guidelines on dietary practices and food intake in women and children to promote nutrition and health. Their recommendations are based on the recent scientific research on healthy eating. The reports suggest pregnant women to strictly avoid eating cheese made from unpasteurized milk, undercooked meat and drinking alcohol. Instead they should increase the intake of low-mercury fish including shell fish by 12 ounces in a week.

The FDA survey found the overall consumption of fish was much lower than the 2010 dietary recommendations on minimum intake of sea food products. Nearly 21 percent of the expectant mothers reported not eating any fish within the last month and among those who regularly ate fish 50 percent said their weekly consumption level was less than two ounces. Around three-fourth of the respondents ate less than four ounces in a week.

"We're updating our advice because the latest science strongly indicates that eating 8 to 12 ounces per week of a variety of fish lower in mercury during pregnancy benefits fetal growth and development," said Stephen Ostroff, FDA's Acting Chief Scientist in the news release.

Low-mercury fish like shrimp, pollock, salmon, canned tuna, cod cat fish and shell fish are easily available and sold in regular grocery stores. These types of fish are high in protein, vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids but contain low amounts of saturated fat. Its nutritive values are vital for neuronal development, fetal growth and health improvement in young children and pregnant women. Various scientific studies have also cited innumerous benefits of eating sea food on mental health, memory and heart functioning.

"The science shows that eating fish has direct health benefits, so it's important to get enough fish in your diet," Ostroff says. "To obtain the health and nutrition benefits of fish, stick to the advice we're offering, and have 8 to 12 ounces of fish lower in mercury per week as part of a balanced eating plan."

 However, the agency experts warn against including commercial fish like tilefish from Gulf of Mexico, swordfish, shark and king mackerel in daily diet as they are exposed to high levels of methylmercury. High traces of methylmercury can have an adverse effect on a growing fetus and the health of mothers. In addition, the officials urge individuals to eat not more than six ounces of fish caught from local streams, lakes and rivers. They added that children should be restricted to not more than three ounces of these fish in a week.