Making the Fish You Eat Safer

Fish is sometimes contaminated with pesticides and other industrial chemicals. Here are a few ways to get the most health benefits from fish with least hazards:

• Buy organic or farm raised fish
• Choose salt water fish over fresh water fish from rivers and lakes, which are more apt to be polluted
• Choose white fish from the deeper waters, such as cod and haddock. They are less likely to be affected by pollution near the coast.
• Choose smaller fish over larger fish. Smaller fish have fewer years of exposure to pollutants.
• Don't eat fish skin as it is the primary depository of toxins.
• Eat different variety of fish than just one type. This reduces the risk of overdosing on one contaminated source.
• Pregnant women should restrict eating swordfish, shark and fresh tuna to once a month because toxic chemical from fish could damage fetuses.
• It is not necessary to eat too much of fish to reap the benefits of fish. So, do not overdo it.
• Avoid eating too many oily fish and fish livers because toxins are stored in fat and liver.