Is That Healthy Fish Really So Healthful?
Margot B

Is That Healthy Fish Really So Healthful?
By Margot B

ELLE Magazine’s April issue explores how the most health-conscious eaters may be exposing themselves to dangerous levels of mercury. For years fish has been a dietary staple among weight-watchers and the most health-conscious consumers. Many believe that the omega-3 fatty acids in salmon and tuna can prevent heart disease and wrinkles as well as make their brains both brainier and less susceptible to depression.

However, Dr. Jane Hightower, [an Internal medicine specialist] reports in ELLE’s April issue, that a dangerous level of mercury is found in some very common types of fish: swordfish, shark, ahi, canned tuna. She discusses the three-year study that led to her concluding that too much of the wrong kind of fish can give you a nasty case of mercury poisoning.

Hightower reports the symptoms of mercury poisoning to include fatigue, headaches, hair loss, and neurological problems, ranging from numbness, muscle weakness, altered vision and hearing, slurred speech, to convulsions and dementia.

Hightower’s claim has touched off controversy from nationwide, pitting federal agencies and fishing industry against environmentalists and health enthusiasts. ‘Virtually all fish contain traces of methyl mercury’ Hightower reveals. ‘In lakes and rivers, where pollution is often quite concentrated, even small fish can have large amounts.’ ‘In oceans, it’s the big predatory species at the top of the food chain that ends up with

the most mercury; these fish may feast for years on smaller fish before becoming fillets themselves. Swordfish, which may be among the largest sea creatures regularly consumed by humans, may accumulate several million times the amount of mercury found in the surrounding water, according to the EPA.’
Some healthy hints from Dr. Hightower:

* Eat more salmon – the fish highest in omega-3-like salmon and

sardines, contain very low levels of mercury.

* Limit fish if you are pregnant [or trying]. Eat no more than 12-ounces

a week, and avoid swordfish, shark, king mackerel, and tilefish.

* Go for variety – eat different kinds of fish.

* Think small – little fish tend to be lower in mercury. Eating smaller

portions also helps.

* Don’t be afraid – occasionally bingeing on sushi or eating

swordfish all week on vacation won’t hurt you.

Source: ELLE
Web site: http://elle.com/
Mar 14, 2003 09:23 ET

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Margot B
mailto:[email protected]
Web site: http://margotb.tk

About the Author

Margot B is the author of a book and 100s of articles, specializing in health and the environment….and is a Web site designer. Samples:
http://margotb.tk
http://nuchatlaht.tk
http://margotbworldnews.tk
http://websitebldg.tripod.com/

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If you are looking for some diet plans for overweight teenage boys, keep in mind that weight loss is pretty much the same for everyone. Eating nutritiously balanced meals and getting enough exercise to burn off more calories than you take in each day is the key to successful weight loss.

For your teenage boys to be able to lose weight and build muscle they need to be on low fat, high protein diets and work out with weights on a regular basis. Low fat to help lose the excess body fat and high protein to help build the lean muscle mass, and the weights to tone, tighten, and strengthen muscles.

If you are just helping them get started you will need to assess their current diet and make some changes. You can cut out most of the fat in their diet but remember, their bodies have to have some fats to work properly so you can’t cut them out completely. The fats to steer clear of are saturated fats, hydrogenated oils, and trans fats.

Food choices for some diet plans for overweight teenage boys that are good sources of fats that you should have are salmon, avocados, and olive oil. Just remember to eat these types of fats in moderation as well because fat is fat and too much of even a good thing is not healthy.

Proteins you should have them eat to lose weight and build muscle should be lean protein like boneless, skinless chicken breasts or turkey breasts, any kind of fish, and pork and red meat in moderation. Do not let your teenage boys take any supplements, protein or otherwise, without talking to their doctor first. Supplements can be beneficial when using them in conjunction with the diet plan and workout routine but they can be harmful if not taken as directed.

Working with weights is a very important part of the equation. Even if you just had your teenage boys follow the diet tips listed above, they would probably lose the excess body fat but their bodies still needs resistance training to help build up their muscles.

To help your teenage boys get the most out of their weight training remember, it’s all about using the right form while performing the exercises. I think I should have been a personal trainer because every time I go work out I’m still amazed to watch the poor form people use when lifting weights. The key to an effective work out is slow and steady. Working each and every muscle group to fatigue so you cannot even do one single more rep is the way to burn maximum calories and get maximum weight loss results.

If your teenage boys really want to lose the weight and build muscle, here are the main steps: strictly follow some diet plans for overweight teenage boys and start weight training. Just make sure that they take it slow when lifting weights, they want their muscles to do all the work so they give them the most benefit, not gravity or momentum.

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